A group of north-east schoolgirls have set aside their differences to raise vital cash for a children’s charity.
The Mintlaw Academy Making a Difference group was launched last year after a number of then second year pupils were having difficulty getting along.
Senior staff at the school decided to put the girls together and have them work towards a common goal.
The group has now raised nearly £1,500 for Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (Chas), which this week is marking the fifth anniversary of its at home service in Aberdeen.
The third year pupils have organised a number of fundraising activities, including a disco for P7s in the area, a coffee morning and, most recently, an 125ft abseil down Longhaven Quarry.
Angela Stuart, 14, said: “We all basically had a lot of issues with each other in second year so the school thought it would be a good idea to put us in a group to work together.
“We decided to raise money for a charity, we read about Chas and chose them because they help young people.”
The girls, who also include Aimee Robbie, Lara Bruce and Ellie Smith, have also visited Chas’ Rachel House hospice in Kinross.
Lara, 14, said: “It wasn’t what we expected, it was just like a massive house, you wouldn’t think it was a hospice.
“It’s good to know they have a proper bed to sleep in and that we’re helping.”
Ellie, also 14, added: “As soon as you go in you can smell food, and it’s good, not like hospital food.”
A number of shops and other local businesses in the village now have Chas charity tins in the shop, inspired by the girls’ various fundraising efforts over the past 12 months.
The group has been helped by the school’s pupil support worker, Paula Rawson.
She said she was delighted with the effort the girls had made.
“We thought they would have raised a few hundred pounds,” she said.
“They have shown they can really help each other and put aside any differences to focus on the bigger picture.
“The girls have also raised a lot of awareness, I think before they started many of the staff and pupils might not have heard of Chas, but they definitely know now.”
Emma Moore, community fundraiser for the charity, said the group had made a huge difference to the charity.
She said: “It’s amazing, it really is, especially because it’s bit more remote in Aberdeenshire than some of our other groups.”
The group now plans to hold a quiz night for local pensioners over the festive period and is also planning other charity events into the new year.
