Brainboxes from schools across the borough are putting their heads together in a bid to be crowned the brainiest team in Harrow.

Hosted by Mind in Harrow and sponsored by the Harrow Times, next year’s third annual MasterMind in Harrow competition will see 14 teams from seven schools compete in a tough quiz off after raising money for the mental health charity as their entrance fee.

This week, the Harrow Times takes a look at how the two teams from Whitmore High School, in Porlock Avenue, are preparing for the challenge.

Competing for the title this year are Liam, Jade, Gaia, Gena, Ahmed – all 13-years-old – who make up Team 1.

Jade Bonner, team captain, said: “As a group we are so thrilled to have been picked to do this for MIND in Harrow due to our gifted and talented abilities.

“It’s a great opportunity to help people with mental struggles by using our mental abilities.

“Each member on our team exceeds in different subjects so we feel we have a strong confident team to be the mastermind champs.

“We have come up with a range of ideas to raise money such as a sponsored bounce, sponsored row and sponsored silence.”

Team 2, meanwhile, consists of 13-year-olds Sharleen, Kaveesha, James, Raphael and Marcel, who claim to excel in a range of subjects including music, drama, PE, languages.

James Gathercole, Team 2 captain, said: “My team and I are going to raise as much money as possible for MIND in Harrow.

“We will be completing a ten-hour sponsored bounce and a cake sale in order to raise funds. Whitmore and the team are excited for this competition to arrive and we are practicing for the competition in preparation for the big day.”

To raise money for the charity, teams will be completing a ten-hour sponsored bounce on trampolines, dressed in Christmas onesies.

Throughout the day they will also be running a cake sale and rowing the distance of London to France with the help and support of the Whitmore community.

Kim Watson, coordinating teacher, said: “Whitmore High School is excited to be entering the Mastermind competition 2015 for the first time and to fundraise money for Mind in Harrow which we, as a school recognise to be such an important cause.

“Too many young people in Harrow are affected by mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and self-harming and we are proud to be doing our bit to help our local community.

“Mastermind 2015 has enabled the students to work as a team to give back to their community and is a challenge they have embraced with great enthusiasm. Good luck Whitmore.”