Alness Academy pupils deal £3000 boost to James Support Group with passionate presentation at YPI final in Easter Ross
PUPILS at an Easter Ross secondary school have dealt a welcome boost to charitable causes close to their hearts while at the same time learning how to research and present a solid, persuasive case.
Alness Academy last week staged its annual YPI final, an event that encourages teams of pupils to research potential causes that could benefit from a windfall.
Pupils then have to make presentations on behalf of their chosen groups in front of a panel which then decides on how to divvy up the available cash.
Alness Academy hailed the quality of presentations “brilliant”.
The charities represented in the final were: ILM Highland, Help for Heroes, The Place, James Support Group, Highland Support Refugees, Alzheimer Scotland and Walking with the Wounded.
The school said that all the presenters did a great job.
Representatives from some of the charities attended.
Judges for the event were Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, Joanie Whiteford, June Ross, who is Morrison’s local branch community champion, Cromarty Firth Councillor Pauline Munro, Alness Academy deputy rector Catherine Brown and Iona Murphy, Josh Oade and Sophie Hynd from last year’s winning group.
The winners were the team representing James Support Group, who will be the recipients of a cheque for £3000. The winning team comprised Elliot Gillespie, Liam Chalmers, Malcolm Heughan, Michael Leonard and Logan Dunbar.
The Black Isle-based James Support Group has expanded significantly since first set up by the parents of the late James Mullery, Wendy and Patrick. It offers support for families who are affected by suicide.
The Place, a local youth group, took second place.
The school paid warm tribute to all who contributed to the event.
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