STUDENTS hope to turn �100 into �1000 for a charity project inspired by entrepreneurial TV show Dragons’ Den.

Sixth formers at St Francis’ College in Letchworth GC are working with business ‘dragons’ from the area to raise funds for charity.

Four teams of five to six pupils are piloting the Dragons’ Apprentice project at the independent girls school for the first time as they use their entrepreneurial skills to make �1000 from a �100 starting point.

The Comet spoke about the initiative with student Shri Merugumala, whose team is raising funds for North Herts Centre for Voluntary Service’s Furniture Link - which provides low cost furniture to residents, with those on benefits receiving a third-off discount.

“It’s a really good way to interact with the local community and local charities,” said the 16-year-old, whose team is being supported by Matthew Reeve, the managing director of Hitchin-based Modern Networks.

“I’ve never done anything like this before and it’s really helped our communication skills.”

The team are holding a car boot sale at the school in Broadway on Sunday, December 11, to raise funds for the cause, with a dance show scheduled for January.

So far �135 has been raised for Furniture Link by selling ice creams at school events.

For more information about fundraising activities email 26ethompson@st-francis.herts.sch.uk

Fellow business dragons from Wilmott Dixon Group, North Hertfordshire Homes and Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation are also involved in the project, helping raise funds for North Herts Homestart, Remap and Hitchin Stroke Club.