Pupils from Perth High School will join more than 1,000 youngsters from across Scotland in the Fair City next month for an annual gathering of young philanthropists.
The Perth students will present their work on issues around social isolation and mental health at the the Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) celebration at Perth Concert Hall on June 19.
Perth High will be one of more than 15 schools taking to the stage to discuss how they used a grant from the YPI to tackle social challenges.
They will also urge their peers to consider how they will continue their own philanthropy.
The students secured £3,000 for Cycling Without Age earlier this year and their performance has secured them an on-stage spot at the national event.
Our #YPI National Event hosts @dunoongrammar1 Blair and Kane rehearsing this week @perthconcerthal. Great job boys – two weeks to go! #generationchange pic.twitter.com/WuQXDR1Jlh
— YPI Scotland (@ypi_scotland) May 29, 2019
Cycling Without Age offers elderly people who have limited mobility trips on trishaws, cycled by volunteers.
The idea was developed in Denmark and has since been successfully launched in countries such as New Zealand and Chile.
The initiative was brought to Perth last year by former Salvation Army officer Norman Ridley with help from support from Perth High School and Perth and Kinross Council.
The school’s runners-up will also be presenting at the event after raising awareness of the Andy’s Man Club charity.
The students will be joined by a further 200 delegates from education, third and public sectors for an afternoon of talks, performances and music on this year’s theme – Generation Change.
We are delighted to announce the first keynote speaker for our National Event @AmalAzzudin. “I believe it is vital for young people to have a safe space where they can engage, discuss and share ideas regarding issues they care about.” #ypi #generationchange pic.twitter.com/BMLputowGV
— YPI Scotland (@ypi_scotland) May 21, 2019
Jonathan Christie, deputy UK director of The Wood Foundation, said: “We are delighted that the pupils from Perth High School will be on-stage, sharing their passion, commitment and creativity with their peers.
“It’s a chance to showcase best practice, inspire next steps, applaud achievement and raise awareness.
“The world is changing at an incredible pace and those who are, and will be, impacted most are our young people.”
The event’s keynote speakers are social justice and human rights campaigner Amal Azzudin and social entrepreneur Alan Mahon.
Ms Azzudin said: “I am really excited and looking forward to being part of the YPI event. I believe that it is vital for young people to have a safe space where they can engage, discuss and share ideas regarding issues that they care about.
“Young people have the ability, courage and bravery to create positive change for themselves and others.
“They just need the opportunity, platform and determination to do so.”
