26 May 2017

A team of Business School students who raised more than £5,000, with an adult colouring book of iconic Edinburgh locations, have been named ‘most innovative’ by charity, Children 1st.

The group received the honour at an awards ceremony for the charity’s challenge, a Scotland-wide competition which tasks aspiring entrepreneurs to turn an initial investment of £500 into £5,000.

Business School students Rob Yates, Kritiya Piyaseth, Rasmus Udde, Karine Mkrtchyan, Robert Castek, Olivia Mason, Gregory Michel, Rebecca Moog, Nitesh Agarwal, and Sophie Riddle collaborated with peers at Edinburgh College of Art to create Edinburgh in Colour.

The book features illustrations of landmarks including Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Palace and University of Edinburgh’s Old College quad.

The Edinburgh students competed with groups from SkyScanner, Deloitte and the University of Andrews for the challenge. With this year’s competition raising more than £75,000 in total.

Group leader, Rob Yates, said:

We are really pleased to have been recognised by Children 1st, and over the moon we’ve been able to raise more than £5,000 with our idea. The support from fellow students, the local community, the Business School, Edinburgh College of Art and right across the university has been fantastic. It’s been a great experience to be part of the competition, and a privilege to be able to support the incredible work of the charity with children across Scotland.

Barbara Kidd, Director of Fundraising for Children 1st, said:

The £350,000 raised by Dragons’ Glen since 2012 is phenomenal and has helped improve the lives of over 10,000 children, young people, parents and carers for each of these five years. We could not do our work without this support.

(Image L-R) Students, Nitesh Agarwal, Kritiya Piyaseth, Karine Mkrtchyan, Rasmus Udde, Robert William and Olivia Mason, with Ken Lewandowski of Children 1st.