PUPILS at five secondary schools across East Lothian have been responsible for a “vital” funding boost of £15,000 to local charities.

Dunbar Grammar School, Knox Academy, Musselburgh Grammar School, North Berwick High School and Ross High School have all been involved in the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

The five schools committed to The Wood Foundation programme, which sees young people work in teams to identify social issues impacting their communities and the charities addressing them. They then develop creative presentations in a bid to secure their school’s £3,000 grant.

The top three social issues securing YPI funding this year were support for those facing health and ability conditions, services to address mental health and wellbeing, and action to tackle poverty.

Ali MacLachlan, UK director at The Wood Foundation, said: “Young people raising awareness of social issues and ensuring this vital funding reached communities at a time of acute need is so important.

“We are incredibly proud of the dedication and commitment shown by schools and students to ensure this important learning and funding opportunity continued with such vigour, despite all the challenges of the school year from Covid-19.

“Giving young people a platform and a voice to lead their learning and make a difference to the issues they saw first-hand locally took on additional significance in a year when so much autonomy was taken away.

“We have been blown away by many of the presentations and have great hope that our young people are an exciting force for change.”

At Dunbar Grammar School, the money was secured for Simpson’s Memory Box Appeal (SiMBA), founded by Dunbar resident Sara Fitzsimmons.

Youngsters at Haddington’s Knox Academy benefited the Thistle Foundation, while East Lothian Young Carers was boosted by pupils at Musselburgh Grammar School.

North Berwick High School secured the money for the Bridges Project and Ross High School opted for Scottish Autism to receive its cash.