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Cockburn College of Arts pupils take up £10 Dragon's Den challenge
Students at Beeston's own Cockburn College of Arts have been handed £10 notes by one of the stars of BBC's Dragon's Den and given a month to make the money grow.
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The pupils are among those taking part in a scheme to foster entrepreneurship.
Peter Jones, one of the stars of Dragon's Den, and Michael and Xochi Birch, the founders of social networking site Bebo, have dipped into their pockets and provided 200,000 to be handed out as ten pound notes.
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The money is being given to 20,000 pupils across the country, including more than 80 at the four Leeds schools.
The students have been given four weeks to turn their tenners into profit and see what "social impact" they can achieve in their communities.
They are allowed to keep any windfall, reinvest the cash into their business or donate the money to a good cause. A total of 160 students at Freeston Business and Enterprise College in Normanton are also taking part, along with 15 pupils at The Community Science College at Thornhill, Dewsbury.
In North Yorkshire, 500 pupils at Rossett School in Harrogate, 50 at King James' School in Knaresborough and 12 at Selby College are trying to make ten pound notes multiply.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Peter Jones said he hoped that by putting up his own money he could "show young people that, by acting on an enterprising idea, it is possible to both make money and make a difference".
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Coun Richard Harker, executive board member for education at Leeds council, said: "Initiatives like 'Make Your Mark With A Tenner' have an important role to play in inspiring the Richard Bransons and Nicola Horlicks of tomorrow.
"I'm sure our young people, with the excellent support of their schools, will rise to the challenge."
The idea has also won support from the senior members of the Government. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "Supporting young people in enterprise is a long-term investment and crucial for success in today's economy."
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 10 February 2012
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Temperature: -8 C to 1 C
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