Darlington Building Society chief executive David Dodd has helped mentor a group of young entrepreneurs to the regional final of Young Enterprise.
12 six-formers from Teesside High in Eaglescliffe have formed the company Pack and Pock and created Pock-!t Monsters.
The inspiration for the product was partially triggered by attendance at a musical festival where often it is not convenient to carry round a bag containing valuables.
The roomy pockets, as well as being able to be attached to clothes without pockets, can be clipped to the inside of wellington boots – a staple piece of footwear at many rain drenched, mud-stricken festivals.
Dodd said: “It has been a pleasure to support Pack and Pock. The students are a credit to the school and have demonstrated great creativity and innovation combined with high levels of organisational skills and business acumen.”
Pack and Pock won the Young Enterprise Durham area heat and is one of four teams in the regional final. If they win they will go on to represent the North East at national level in London.
Dodd added: “The team’s place in the regional final is well-deserved and I wish them all the best for June 19.”
Young Enterprise challenges young people to set up a company, develop a product, draw up financial and marketing strategies and make a profit from the sales.
Young Enterprise is the United Kingdom’s largest business and enterprise education charity. Every year it helps 250,000 young people learn about business and the world of work in the classroom under the guidance of volunteers from 3,500 companies.