Mortlach Primary pupils raise £290 for Turkey earthquake appeal
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
PUPILS at a Dufftown school have raised nearly £300 for Turkey and Syria earthquake relief efforts.
The money, raised by a P5 class studying natural disasters, has been donated to the British Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.
Pupils had just started their natural disasters topic when the devastating earthquake hit Turkey and Syria.
Teacher Donna Shepherd decided to do something, and set her pupils the challenge to raise cash for a good cause while developing their skills.
She said: "It just fed right into our learning, so they did a brainstorm of what they like to do and made plans.
"Everything relied totally on their own capacities and skills and it brought about positive change.
"It was absolutely amazing.
"It is amazing for P5s to show that level of dedication and compassion."
The class raised £290.13 with their efforts, which included a school non-uniform day, a food quiz, as well as stalls selling chocolate hampers, lucky squares and hand-made origami.
Mrs Shepherd said the class was nervous going into the day, but were thrilled with the amount raised.
She said: "They were quite nervous and were running about before it, getting everything organised.
"You could tell they were quite nervous but they are absolutely delighted with it.
"Thanks to the community for supporting us with their donations.
"It was just amazing to see what came in on the day."
The cash was handed in to British Red Cross in Keith as a cash donation.
"They all took total ownership in the afternoon, they were really independent and taking responsibility.
"Has been amazing."
Mrs Shepherd said she was impressed by the community's generosity despite the ongoing cost of living crisis.
She said: "It puts things into perspective when events like the earthquake happen.
"We're not too bad off here."
