YOUNG entrepreneurs raised more than £2,000 for East Cheshire Hospice by selling gift bags in Manchester Airport’s Dragons Den competition.

The Bee Cosy Creations team of Zenae Blackburn, Amelie Gifford, Evan Canny, James Wheeler and Laura Vilches from Wilmslow High School raised a total of £2,097, and came third in the contest.

“Having embarked on the enterprise only eight weeks ago, their product has evolved from handmade candles, bath bombs and chocolate lollipops into the professionally-designed gift bag - Bee Creative, Bee Indulged, Bee Relaxed - which was on sale at Prestbury Street market and Lindow Primary School fair,” said Julia McHarg, team leader Business and Enterprise at Wilmslow High.

“With the help of their friends, in particular Renee Resina, Lydon Watts, Zainab Mahmood and Codie Sementysh they have sold at 13 events, creating sales of more than £3,000, and were able to hand over £2,097 to Lisa Ball of East Cheshire Hospice at the final.

“Although not enough to win the competition, Bee Cosy Creations were delighted to be awarded third place and were suitably in awe of the teams from Priestnall School and St Anthony’s Catholic High School in Urmston who raised a staggering £4,300 and £6,100 for their charities.”

Zenae Blackburn, managing director, said: “We enjoyed interacting in a professional way with the general public and have gained great experience of running a business.”

Julia added: “I would like to thank sixth formers Millie Taylor and Josh Baxter who acted as in-house mentors for the team throughout the project, and all the staff and parents who got behind the project and to the local businesses who supported them - allowing them to sell their products on their premises and at their events.”

Students from St Antony’s Catholic College in Urmston beat 19 other schools from across Greater Manchester to be recognised by business leaders for their ingenuity in the competition.

Competing schools from across the region gathered for a final at the Holiday Inn Express, Manchester Airport and pitched their products to the Dragons, presenting a summary of productivity, finance and lessons learned as a result of the experience.

The Dragons were made up of representatives from locally-based businesses including Cathay Pacific, Marriott Hotels and John Lewis.

The students from St Antony’s Catholic College raised £6,181 through the sale of their Manchester bee tree decoration.

The winning team enjoyed a VIP trip to see Elf the Musical, where they were picked up from school by limousine before going for dinner and being taken to see the hit festive musical.

In second place was Priestnall High School, who raised £4,345.

A record-breaking total of £20,234 was raised by the 20 schools taking part, and will go to Hope House Children’s Hospice, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, East Cheshire Hospice, St Ann’s Hospice and Francis House.

Wendy Sinfield, Community Relations Manager at Manchester Airport, said: “There were some fantastic ideas this year, with real originality from the teams and I’m overjoyed by the incredible amount they’ve managed to raise for charity.

“The Dragons’ Den competition is not only fun for the students, but gives them skills and knowledge that will help with their future careers.

“On behalf of the Airport Community Network, I want to congratulate all of the students for their hard work and inventive ideas, and I hope they go away having had some fun learned some more about business.”