A massive congratulations to the winners of the First Give Final: Beatrice Wright, Rita Laczney, Leila Wilson, Edie Gutteridge, Emma Stannard and Katie Mercer. Their presentation was judged the best and so they have secured £1000 for their chosen charity: Solace Women’s Aid. Congratulations also to the two runners-up groups. They were: Munro Black, Hugo Bulleid, Livia Cooper, Ethan Raine-Dunk, Luisa Staab  who won £250 for their charity, Friends of Finchley Youth Theatre; and Nyika Dutson, Eden Changai, Ziba Ogunbiyi who won £250 for their charity, also, Solace Women’s Aid.

Thanks also goes to the judges who gave up their time to make this difficult decision. The judging panel comprised Katie Purcell (Grants Officer, The Jack Petchey Foundation), Kawika Solidum (Chief Executive, BeyondMe), Helen Glass (Headteacher, Fortismere), Maria Demetriou (Chair of the Fortismere School Association), Agnes Chapman-Wills (Year 13 Head Girl, Fortismere) and Ella Carsley (Year 11 Student Leader, Fortismere). They all spoke very highly of the amazing research, creativity and passion that went into the presentations.

Thank you and congratulations also to the teachers of Year 7 Enrichment who taught this totally new project and managed to elicit such fantastic presentations from their students. Their professionalism and enthusiasm has made all the difference.