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Scourie pupils' 500-mile theatre fundraiser


By Caroline McMorran

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Pupils at a tiny north west Sutherland primary school are spending their summer holidays walking, running or cycling a collective 500 miles in aid of the Highlands' theatre.

Scourie pupils enjoying a bikeability session at the school. From left, Ellie Macdonald, Magnus Macrae, Elizabeth Birt, Emelia Beveridge, Alfie Beveridge.
Scourie pupils enjoying a bikeability session at the school. From left, Ellie Macdonald, Magnus Macrae, Elizabeth Birt, Emelia Beveridge, Alfie Beveridge.

The 15 youngsters at Scourie Primary School, along with staff and parents, were so upset to hear that Eden Court Theatre’s future was in danger because of a loss of revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic, that they decided to try to help.

And so the fundraiser ‘Scou-relay’ was launched, based on the North Coast 500 tourism route.

The idea behind it is that pupils individually walk, cycle or run various distances on a regular basis then send in their mileage tallies weekly to Scourie teacher and mum Sian Curley.

“It is going very well so far”, Mrs Curley told the Northern Times earlier this week. They have got 145 miles round and raised just over £500 – we were aiming for £150 to £200.”

According to her calculations, the pupils have virtually reached between Applecross and Shieldaig and she admits to being slightly concerned over whether they will finish the route by the time the school resumes in August.

“I hoped they would have left the West Coast by now,” she said. “If over the next week or two they have still not got to Inverness I am going to have to take my children out on longer bike rides!”

But with 12 of those on the school roll aged under eight, she says their achievement so far has been amazing.

She added: “The children love going to the pantomime and putting on their own Christmas show - it is quite a theatrical school - and they were just distraught that Eden Court is in such trouble. The theatre plays such a big part in everyone’s lives”

Mrs Curley said the fundraiser built on successful bikeability sessions held at the school with pupils now increasingly walking or cycling to school, so much so that a bike shed is being built.

To donate to the fundraiser, visit JustGiving and search for Scourie Primary School.


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