Brora and Helmsdale pupils collect Pennies for Peace
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Pupils at Brora and Helmsdale primaries and nurseries have undertaken Pennies for Peace collections in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Pennies for Peace programme focuses on raising cross-cultural awareness to promote peace.
Both schools heard about the work of Red Cross and ShelterBox, an international disaster relief charity with a historic link to the Rotary organisation.
Pupils were also told about Brora resident Alistair Risk’s fundraising initiative to raise money for ShelterBox.
Seventy-nine-year-old Rotarian Mr Risk, who has helped establish RotaKids clubs in East Sutherland schools, is to sleep outdoors in a tent pitched at Brora Episcopal Church for five nights from Sunday, March 27.
The youngsters decided that their collections should go towards ShelterBox and Red Cross.
The final collection of coins were displayed at assemblies in the two schools, arranged in heart shapes on the floor. At Brora the word 'peace' was also spelled out in pennies while the Helmsdale heart was surrounded by pieces of paper coloured blue and yellow, symbolising the colours of the Ukranian flag.
Head teacher Dawn McKenzie said that the £160 raised at Helmsdale Primary School would go to Shelterbox while the £70 from Brora Primary School would be send to the Red Cross.
She added: “The RotaKids from Brora will go and visit Mr Risk during his outdoor stint to highlight the plight of Ukraine and raise funds for ShelterBox. Children at Helmsdale will also follow Mr Risk’s progress."
Both schools have also played a major role in the efforts of their communities to support beleaguered Ukranians.
The schools were collection points for donations of clothes, baby items, bedding and medical supplies.
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