Warm-hearted students raise funds through heart-warming drinks

Kind-hearted students have used their entrepreneurial skills to help families in Fife.

University of St Andrews undergraduates created a way to raise cash through selling hot drinks, with the help of local businesses.

The Community Café Project involved four St Andrews cafes: Bibi’s, Taste, The Cottage Kitchen and Con Panna. Each café selected one menu item to be promoted by the students and in return for the marketing and promotional services of the students, the cafes donated at least 10 per cent of the cost to the chosen charity Families First. Drinks in the scheme included cappuccinos, mochas, green tea and mint hot chocolate.

In just three weeks (28 October – 15 November) the team of seven students raised nearly £270 and doubled the sales of the selected menu item, in at least one of the cafes involved.

The project has since earned distinction in the 2013 Fresh Ideas Competition which recognises local business ideas.

The seven students created the initiative for a second-year entrepreneurial module called “Enterprise and Creativity”. Their goal was to facilitate a community-wide project that could raise funds for a local charity while simultaneously promoting local businesses.

Jane Fraser, Families First, was delighted to receive the donation from the students. Several of the café managers have expressed an interest in repeating the project in the future and discussions are already underway.

Morag Coleman, Manager of Families First St Andrews, said: “Families First St Andrews (FFSA) is a small local independent charity that relies solely on the funds it can raise.

“Without the generosity of people like St Andrews students we would struggle to deliver our services to the families we support throughout North East Fife.

“The donation raised by the students will go towards supporting these families who use our services, in particular our Family Support Service. Our Family Support Worker helps the children’s primary carers to get the best help they can for their children, some of whom have very complex needs.”

St Andrews student, Francis Ferrone, said: “We are pleased to announce that Community Café has earned distinction in the 2013 Fresh Ideas Competition sponsored by the Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE).

“Community Café was one of eight local business ideas selected by a panel of judges to progress to the national competition in early 2014. The competition involves a formal workshop, where the Café Team will receive guidance from SIE experts to further develop the business model for the chance to win £500. Our team hopes to apply this professional input and financial support towards future Community Café projects.”

Note to Editors

Families First -St Andrews is a registered charitable organisation established in 2001 to provide support to families with children aged 5-16 who live in St Andrews and North East Fife.

Our aim is to provide practical help and support to families experiencing difficulties and to provide a service relevant to their needs.

Families First employs a small team of paid staff, and benefit from a large team of over 100 volunteers. Our volunteers help us to deliver services such as Breakfast Clubs, Holiday Activities, Befriending and Family Support.

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Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews

Contact Victoria Herd on 01334 462530 / 07850 900 351.

Ref: (Community café 03/02/14)

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