LOCAL teenagers are taking their minds off their GCSE results this week by showing they are a class act when it comes to fundraising.

Fifteen pupils from Hagley RC and Wolverley High Schools, all aged 16 and anxiously awaiting their exam results this Thursday, are taking part in the National Citizenship Scheme (NCS).

It asks them to complete 60 hours of planning and delivering community work and to pass the test they have come up with five fundraising schemes.

They have already raised £80 from a bucket collection at a Stourbridge Cricket Club match last week and the rest of their timetable involves: a sponsored ‘homeless’ sleep-in; a family fun day at a pub; a sponsored swim and another bucket collection in Stourbridge town centre.

The good causes set to benefit are Barnardo’s children’s charity; Primrose Hospice at Bromsgrove; the Nightstop service for young homeless people; and the Aplastic Anaemia Trust which supports people with a fault in the way their bone marrow produces blood cells.

At least one of the teenagers or a close relative has benefited from the help supplied by one of the charities.

Events kick off at 3pm this Wednesday at Longlands Tavern in Western Road, Stourbridge, with a fun day which promises face painting, games and arts and crafts for the children while mum and dad can enjoy a relaxing drink. Entry is free, but donations are requested for Barnardo’s.

This Thursday, after getting their GCSE results in the morning, the children will change their focus to a bucket collection in Stourbridge town centre to raise money and awareness for the Aplastic Anaemia Trust.

A sponsored sleep-in hosted by the YMCA Worcestershire takes place overnight on August 28 from 4pm to 9am. To try to give a tiny feel of what its like to be a rough sleeper, the children will have to live off £2 for their food and drink for the duration and face their ‘worst nightmare’ - be barred from all electronics and social media. Money raised goes to Nightstop.

Finally, On August 30, there is a sponsored swim at the Morris Centre in Edgbaston in aid of Primrose Hospice.