Students lend a hand at Springhill Hospice

Students from three of Rochdale borough's schools proved to have hearts of gold while taking part in a scheme to gain their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

The 44 students from Cardinal Langley RC High School in Middleton, Heywood Community High School and St Cuthbert's RC High School in Rochdale are spending time improving the grounds at Springhill Hospice in Balderstone, Rochdale.

The students are visiting Springhill Hospice as part of their work to gain accreditation for their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, and as part of the Skill Force programme.

Sarah Ford, the Support Services manager at the hospice commented, "I was extremely pleased at the way the students conducted themselves. It was clear that they are enthusiastic about the project."

Kevin Rolfe, Skill Force Team Leader, said, "The visits gave the students the opportunity to experience new challenges, meet with people outside the school environment and enhance their communication skills.

"The students were a credit to themselves and their schools and it's a measure of how impressive they were that they have been invited back."

The programme, jointly funded by the MoD and the Department for Education and Skills, uses the skills of serving and retired Armed Forces staff to encourage greater self-confidence, teamwork and responsibility among 14-16 year olds.