A group of youngsters who are about to embark on a summer of go-karting have been given the best possible start to the season in form of a sponsorship cheque.

Eastern Daily Press: Pupils at Hempnall primary School being presented with a cheque for £220 from Dickleburgh business Truck Monkey. Picture:Pupils at Hempnall primary School being presented with a cheque for £220 from Dickleburgh business Truck Monkey. Picture: (Image: Archant)

Pupils at Hempnall Primary School, near Long Stratton, are taking part in the Formula Goblin project - a summer-long venture which will see them work together to fund, build and race their very own electric go-karts.

They have now have been presented with a cheque for more than £200 to help them on their way.

The project is designed to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in schools and mimic the real Formula One business model.

Pupils taking part in the project have spent the last few weeks writing to businesses in a bid to secure sponsorship to help them buy the equipment needed to build a fully functioning, sustainable electric go-kart.

Eastern Daily Press: Formula Goblin Racing at Scottow Enterprise Park in 2017. Picture : ANTONY KELLYFormula Goblin Racing at Scottow Enterprise Park in 2017. Picture : ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant)

After sending out numerous letters on Friday, May 4 year-five and year-six pupils at the school were presented with a cheque from Dickleburgh-based business Truck Monkey.

Expecting to receive £100, pupils were delighted to be given a cheque for £220 - more than double the initial figure.

Following the presentation Laura Jestico, executive headteacher of Shelton and Hardwick with Hempnall Federation, said pupils had been 'blown away' by the generosity of Truck Monkey.

She said the funds would be used to fund the school kart's bodywork.

Eastern Daily Press: Formula Goblin Racing at Scottow Enterprise Park in 2017. Picture : ANTONY KELLYFormula Goblin Racing at Scottow Enterprise Park in 2017. Picture : ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant)

Now, pupils will get to work designing and building their karts ahead a day of racing at Scottow Enterprise Park in June, which will see schools from across the region go head-to-head in a number of races.

Ms Jestico said: 'We will be aiming to win as many of the races as possible on June 5, as well as competing in Northamptonshire and Essex later in the summer term.'

Jen Satchell, federation finance manager and Hempnall school secretary, said the project was 'a team effort', adding: 'The pupils just get together and they all work together to go out and win.

'It's such fun. It's hard work because the children have to do it all themselves but to them it's Formula One.'

Eastern Daily Press: Formula Goblin Racing at Scottow Enterprise Park in 2017. Picture : ANTONY KELLYFormula Goblin Racing at Scottow Enterprise Park in 2017. Picture : ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant)