A NORTH Glasgow school has been made safer by a generous donation.

Co-op members Anthony Carroll and Heather McFarlane gifted 1000 face masks and five large tubs of hand sanitiser to Springburn Academy on Monday.

The two members met with pupils and staff at the school to deliver the gifts.

Teachers at the school were also given two hampers full of crisps, tea, coffee and biscuits for the staffroom.

Mr Carroll said that the organisation was inspired to give masks and hand sanitiser after a meeting with locals, who raised concerns about pupils from the school not wearing masks in Springburn Shopping Centre at lunchtime and after school.

He said: “We had a community council meeting a couple of months ago and one of the pupils at the school, who is on the community council, said a lot of folk were not wearing masks in the shopping centre. They just keep forgetting to bring them or put them on.

“So we thought it might be a good idea to donate reusable masks so at least that base is covered.”

Staff at the school were delighted with the gift.

Kevin Rae, depute head at Springburn Academy, said: “This is a wonderful donation and we’re very grateful to the Co-op Funeralcare for supporting our school in these difficult times.

“The masks and hand sanitiser will go a long way to protecting our pupils and staff.”

Mr Carroll is a member pioneer with the company and Heather McFarlane works at the Co-op Funeralcare in Springburn Way.

It comes after regulations for Glasgow schools were tightened, with secondary pupils in fourth to sixth years required to wear masks in the classroom and while moving around inside schools.

Staff also have to wear masks in the classroom and in communal areas, such as corridors.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Keeping schools open remains our priority but that can only be the case if schools are safe. There have been tremendous efforts applied by staff and pupils to ensure this is the case and I thank them all for their efforts.

“It is vital that all the measures are followed rigorously in schools.”