King’s Trust award for Strabane pupils

A GROUP of pupils from Strabane Academy have been named as the winners of an award from The King’s Trust after coming together to fundraise for the installation of a life-saving defibrillator outside their school gates.
The King’s Trust and TK Maxx Awards recognise young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.
The pupils from Strabane Academy’s Enterprise Challenge team scooped the JD Foundation Community Impact Award which recognises a group of young people who have made a positive contribution to their local community or school and have developed their own personal skills through teamwork.​
The pupils are proof that it only takes a small group of people to have a big impact.
Their hard work, compassion and collaboration has created long-lasting change within their school and the wider community.
Seven students, all aged 15, raised money for a community-accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED) outside their school gates on Derry Road as part of their Enterprise Challenge project.
Enterprise Challenge is a free inter-school competition for students aged 11 to 16, which brings schools together to inspire young entrepreneurs.
Delivered in classrooms by King’s Trust staff and volunteers, participants tackle a series of challenges and then collaborate with a mentor to develop and present their business pitch.
The pupils chose this project not only because they recognised a gap in lifesaving resources locally, but also because it had a personal and emotional meaning for the team.
Two of the pupils in the group had lost their fathers at a young age, one to sudden cardiac arrest.
Her bravery in sharing her story gave the whole team determination and a powerful reason to act.
Sarah-Jane, who lost her dad to cardiac arrest in her early teens, said: "The project carried some difficult memories for me but feeling the support of the team around me helped me turn my grief into purpose.
"I don’t mind speaking about what my family went through if it means I can help others.”
Enterprise Challenge member, Harry, added: "We realised the AEDs inside our school weren’t accessible outside of school hours when our school community and local people use the sports facilities.
"We wanted to make sure that life-saving equipment was at the heart of our community.
"We had fun coming up with ideas to get everyone in the school involved in fundraising and we encouraged all the students to take part.
"We organised CPR training, a cake sale, activities at breaktimes and a sponsored walk on ‘Restart a Heart Day’.
"We also produced ‘chain of survival’ keyrings to raise awareness. We raised over £3,380 which is amazing!”
The pupils from Strabane are determined to keep building a 'Community of Lifesavers'.
Next steps include running awareness campaigns in school, ensuring ongoing maintenance of the AED, and passing on skills to younger pupils.
The team also hope to expand into future causes, raising awareness around issues including allergies and mental health.
Olivia Crosbie, head of King’s Trust at Strabane Academy, said: "I’m extremely proud of what the pupils have achieved.
"The project has benefitted the entire Strabane community: families, pupils, staff, and sports teams.
"Local sports clubs regularly use the facilities at Strabane Academy and the new AED offers peace of mind to everyone taking part.
"The project has shown what young people can achieve when they come together and take action.”
School principal, Craig Johnston, also expressed his pride.
“The pupils in our S.A.V.E. Team are a credit to themselves and the school," he commented.
"Their desire and commitment to take action in meeting a need for the good of others is something I am truly proud of.
"They are wonderful ambassadors of Strabane Academy and deserve the recognition and acknowledgment this award has given.”
On winning the JD Foundation Community Impact Award, Miley from the group added: "Winning the Community Impact Award is something we never expected would happen - it’s amazing.
"We’re really proud of the way we worked together and hope that we left a lasting impact on our community too.”
Now the group are in with a chance to become a National King’s Trust Award winner at a very special event in May 2026.
A King’s Trust Celebration in partnership with TK Maxx will spotlight winners from across the UK.
Held at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, this special evening will bring music, comedy, awards, and unforgettable performances together.
The night will celebrate the courage, creativity, and achievements of young people supported by The King’s Trust in the UK and around the world.
Adrian Faloona, regional sales and operations manager at JD Sports, presented the students with their award.
He said: “It is an honour to present this very special group of young people with the Community Impact Award.
"The way you have worked together to benefit your community is truly inspiring and the impact you have had is clear to see! Well done!"
Youth charity, The King’s Trust, gives young people the skills and confidence to get their lives on track.
Three in four young people helped by The King’s Trust in the past five years have moved into work, training or education.
With almost a million young people not in work, education or training, the Trust is committed to ending youth unemployment so that every young person has the opportunity to succeed.