A pioneering social enterprise has reached a fundraising milestone of £100,000 by supporting schools and nurseries with its innovative art projects.

Fat-Chilli, based in Elland, was set up in 2008 to support fundraising efforts by co-ordinating the production of cards and gifts based on children’s designs.

Between 10% and 25% of the total sale price goes towards the fundraising with schools and nurseries choosing what they use the money for – whether for equipment for their own learning environment or for charity.

Funds raised over the years have been used to support a variety of projects such as playground developments, computer or book purchases for the schools and nurseries.

Donations have also been made to a range of charities from Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital to Comic Relief.

The business has now given more than £100,000 to good causes since its inception six years ago – the milestone being passed with a special competition to mark the first birthday of Prince George.

For the special project, 26 schools and nurseries across the UK signed up to design a birthday card to commemorate the occasion.

Four winning designs were chosen from schools and these were printed onto commemorative cards and sent to Clarence House.

The winners also received prizes from Zatchels and Stamptastic who sponsored the competition.

Fat-Chilli founder Andrea Redman said: “Whether the money raised by schools goes to supporting their learning or to charity, we are delighted our social enterprise efforts are having a huge impact across the country.

“When I formed Fat-Chilli six years ago, I wanted to help schools and nurseries – where time is always in short supply – to run art projects that allowed them to turn children’s artwork into professionally produced products that could be sold to family, friends and the community and raise money for good causes at the same time.

“Since then, we have gone from strength to strength.

“Passing the £100,000 fundraising milestone with a project that captured the attention of schools and nurseries around the country shows how our ambitious aims to take the business from Elland across the UK are being achieved.”