A TEAM of apprentices are the pride of Cumbria as they represent their global pharmaceutical company in a prestigious national final.

GSK Ulverston is one of eight teams going for glory in The Brathay Apprentice Challenge.

The competition, supported by the National Apprenticeship Service, is the searching for the apprentice team of the year.

The finalists have all worked on community project to benefit young people and activities that raise the profile of the team, their employer and apprenticeships.

The GSK Ulverston team has held business breakfasts with local employers to showcase the benefits of apprenticeships and encourage them to take on apprentices, mentored secondary age students on a health project and introduced them to apprenticeship careers, worked with primary pupils on science experiments and promoted science, technology, engineering and maths careers, and launched an inspirational health campaign in schools and the community.

The team's emotional asthma awareness campaign is for the legacy of Josh West, an Ulverston boy and talented footballer, who died last year after suffering an asthma attack just ahead of his 12th birthday.

The campaign involves of Josh's parents and it is a long-term project which the apprentices and the Wests want to see reach far and wide to spread its important message.

The GSK Ulverston apprentices headed off to Brathay yesterday for a series of challenges which will conclude on Wednesday.

Terry Sandham, GSK Ulverston apprentice programme manager, said: "They are a fantastic team. They are all so enthusiastic. They are apprentice role models and ambassadors."

Meet the GSK Ulverton Team for the Brathay Apprentice Challenge:



Danyelle Haines , 19, of Barrow

Manufacturing apprentice

Brathay Apprentice Challenge highlight: "Organising the Business Breakfast event for local employers."




Aidan Huddleston , 23, of Haverigg

Manufacturing apprentice,

Brathay Apprentice Challenge highlight: "I enjoyed helping organise and delivering the Business Breakfast."




Joe Hambley , 21, of Haverthwaite (Chairman of the GSK Ulverston Brathay Apprenticship Challenge team)

Mechanical engineering apprentice

Brathay Apprentice Challenge highlight: "Gaining valuable experience of managing a team and seeing us have such a successful outcome."



Kelly Stokes , 19, of Walney

Supply chain apprentice

Brathay Apprentice Challenge highlight: "Launching the asthma awareness presentation and video to a group of sport coaches and volunteers."





James Turner , 23 of Haverigg

Manufacturing apprentice

Brathay Apprentice Challenge highlight:"Finding out that we as a team had got through to the national finals."




Sam Coulson , 18, of Ulverston

Manufacturing apprentice

Brathay Apprentice Challenge highlight:"Feeling proud of doing a good job on the community challenge (the asthma awareness campaign)."




Owen Rice , 18, of Barrow

Control systems Apprentice

Brathay Apprentice Challenge highlight: "Seeing myself and the rest of the team develop our skills and teamwork."





Ted Jackson , 18 of Ulverston

Electrical and instrumentation apprentice

Brathay Apprentice Challenge highlight: "Sense of pride from delivering a heart felt project to different members of the community."




Madigan Long , 21 of Ulverston

Mechanical engineering apprentice

Brathay Apprentice Challenge highlight: "Giving the West family further support and recognition in the local area and ensuring the legacy of their son Josh."