Pupils from an Easter Ross school have been given a community cash boost to help them deliver a showstopping performance at an annual dance competition.
More than 120 Alness Academy pupils are involved in preparations for the 2015 Annual Rock Challenge Scottish heats in Inverness.
Now, Invergordon-based Albyn Housing Society’s Community Fund has provided £250 to help with the cost of set building, costumes and transport.
The housing association created the fund to support local projects in the communities it serves.
The Rock Challenge involves choreographing an original eight-minute dance performance and producing a sound track, set and costumes from scratch.
It holds wide appeal to local youngsters and boasts an anti-drug and alcohol ethos.
Next year’s heats will take place on April 28 at Eden Court Theatre.
Rock Challenge is an international event – developed in Australia to discourage anti-social behaviour – which has been running for many years and it was first held in the Highlands in 2011.
Gordon Robertson, an English teacher at Alness Academy and leader of the Rock Challenge Group, applied to Albyn Housing Society for the funding. He said: “The Rock Challenge is an excellent way to involve young people in the performing arts and to engage them in enjoyable extra-curricular activities. It also requires a huge amount of team work, teaching cooperation and commitment.
“Staff and parents always make a massive contribution too by supporting us with aspects such as costumes and sets. Everyone gets stuck in, making it a hugely enjoyable experience for everyone on stage and behind the scenes. We also run the group in conjunction with the Youth Work Team and without them it wouldn’t be possible.
“I’d like to thank Albyn Housing Society for its generous support. The funding will certainly help us on our way to delivering the biggest and best Alness Academy Rock Challenge performance yet.”
Calum Macaulay, chief executive at Albyn Housing Society, said: “At Albyn we are committed to supporting our local communities and I’m delighted our community fund is benefiting such a large group of young people in Alness.”