An initiative which allows young people to explore pressing local social issues and access funding to tackle them has been celebrated in Perth.
More than 1,000 secondary school pupils from across Scotland converged on Perth Concert Hall on Wednesday to mark the year’s achievements of the Youth & Philanthropy Initiative, YPI Scotland.
During the 2016/17 academic year, more than 26,500 students from 207 Scottish secondary schools took part and collectively awarded in excess of £600,000 to small local charities.
The event brought together the winning YPI teams from every participating school and allowed them to outline how they were able to make a difference within their community.
This year 11 schools from the Perth and Kinross took part in the YPI programme raising a total of £33,000 for the winning local charities they advocated.
Sir Ian Wood, chairman of The Wood Foundation which is behind the initiative, said: “YPI is one of The Wood Foundation’s most exciting programmes, so often a young person’s first experience of philanthropy, providing them with a unique opportunity to explore the big social issues on their door step and advocate passionately on behalf the charities they visit.
“YPI provides the opportunity for young people to work closely as teams, leave the four walls of the classroom behind and partner local charities of their choosing, experiencing a significant mind-set change and enhanced understanding around the challenges faced within their own communities.
“The fact that so many young people continue afterwards to volunteer or fundraise for their chosen charity, is testament to the strength of their experience.”
The main speaker was Dame Katherine Grainger, the UK’s greatest ever female Olympian, who is well-known for her charitable and philanthropic work.
The local schools which took part and their causes were Auchterarder Community School (SANDS Tayside); Blairgowrie High School (The Guide Dogs for The Blind Association); Breadalbane Academy (Canine Concern Scotland Trust, Therapet); Crieff High School (Starter Packs Perth); Glenalmond College (RDA Strathearn); Kinross High School (SHIP); Perth Academy (Child Brain Injury Trust (CBIT) Scotland); Perth Grammar School (Perth and Kinross Food Bank); Perth High School (Perth Autism Support); Pitlochry High School (Mindspace Limited); St John’s Academy (Support Help and Integration in Perthshire, SHIP).
