YOUNGSTERS in the West End have secured thousands of pounds to distribute to local charities.

Notre Dame High School was one out of 50 schools across the UK to secure a shared amount £200,000 for their communities’ efforts during the coronavirus outbreak.

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Pupils from the Dowanhill school were able to represent charities and help to tackle the far-reaching impacts of Covid-19 through digital packages.

They were able to address social issues including food poverty, social isolation, homelessness and physical and mental health.

The Your Community Fund was offered as an opportunity to schools who could not complete their planned programme of activity due to school closures.

More than 90 submissions were received from the length and breadth of the country.

The pupils will now distribute the £4000 won from The Wood Foundation to the local charities.

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Sir Ian Wood, Chairman of The Wood Foundation, said: “It’s clear the young people have really enjoyed the role they can play to help the world outside their front door while they’ve had to remain at home.

“Many of the submissions were really very impressive. It was great to see how much young people cared about their causes and the different ways they told the charities stories and the difference the money would make to them.”

Notre Dame High School Head Teacher, Rosemary Martin, said: "Our third year pupils work in teams to research and select a charity which they believe makes a real difference, presenting their final pitch to a panel of judges in the hope that their charity may benefit from £3000 of additional funding.

"This year, as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, our school final was unable to take place and so there was no real conclusion to the girls’ work.

"Despite being on lockdown from school, staff highlighted the 'Your Community Fund' initiative on our digital platform and Ruby and Holly’s passion for their chosen charity, St. Margaret of Scotland Youth Group, is what drove them to make their application.

"Working together, but remotely, the girls were able to create a video application which highlighted the excellent work of the charity and the difference it makes to the lives of young people and their families in Glasgow.

"We are so proud of the girls’ determination and commitment to their charity. They are outstanding ambassadors for their school, their families and Glasgow.”

The funds will be sent to local charities in the coming weeks.

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