Schoolgirls win thousands of pounds for Putney charity

A team of pupils at Ursuline High School in Wimbledon scooped a £3,000 donation for their chosen good cause in a philanthropy competition.

They pitched to a panel of business and charity leaders on behalf of Small Steps - a Putney organisation that supports young people with conditions affecting movement or physical ability.

The team of seven students, aged 12 and 13, battled against competing groups making the case for other local good causes in the school's annual Youth Philanthropy Initiative.

At the final on May 13 the teams used video presentations, role plays and interviews in their bid to win the cash. The panel deciding which team would triumph included representatives from international bank Credit Suisse, which sponsored the event, and the Royal Society of Arts.

Small Steps spokesman Anita Coppola said the schoolgirls were the future of philanthropy.

She said: "This is wonderful. I’m so proud of team Small Steps who obviously worked hard in their endeavours; finding out about the charity, asking intelligent questions and then using a wide range of techniques in their presentation to get the message across."

She added the prize would fund a whole half-term of therapy and play sessions, including support from teachers and physiotherapists, for five young children with disabilities.

Sarah Miller from the Institute for Philanthropy, the organisation that co-ordinated the event and runs others across the country, said: "This year’s event was the best yet and we were inspired by the incredible work and energy the girls had put into their presentations."

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