Images show Glasgow school pupils holding their biggest fundraiser

Youngsters at Bankhead Primary School in Knightswood were tasked with running around the outside of the building in an effort to raise money to enhance their education.

Some of the primary five pupils who organised the run (Image: Colin Mearns)

This is the eighth year of the event which sees all funds raised put back into the school.

In previous years benefits have included restocking the library and buying new chairs.

Caterina Verrecchia, a primary five teacher at Bankhead, explained she has seen a real improvement in the children’s confidence through taking part in this project.

Pupils were challenged to run laps around the school building (Image: Colin Mearns)

Miss Verrecchia said: “This is our major fundraising venture of the year and we always do it in the summer.

“It’s a sponsored run and the head teacher uses the money that comes in is used for things that are going to benefit the children so that changes every year.

“We restocked our library one year and we bought school chairs for the children. It is a fun run so you don’t have to sprint, it’s not a race.

“Pupils are challenged to run the same number of laps as the primary they are in.

"For example, if they are in primary five they are tasked with running five laps but that’s only if they can.

“It’s just a generally fun day and it’s really great because I can see some of them are so much more confident.

“Each year it gets bigger and bigger and now the children are definitely taking on much more responsibilities.

“We rely on our parents to help us, we couldn’t do events like these without them. Some are here today as stewards.”

Primary five pupils at the school were placed in groups and tasked with organising the day as well as coming up with innovative new ideas.

This event forms part of their enterprise project for the year.
One of the entries into the banner competition (Image: Colin Mearns)

The latest addition to the event is a banner competition which is open to parents.

A judging panel made up of schoolchildren then picks the best banner of the day with the winner awarded an Amazon gift voucher.

Vicky McCool, head teacher at Bankhead, praised the youngsters for their hard work.

She added: “I’m really amazed at the confidence and the effort that they’ve put into things. Not only that but the ideas they have come up with.

“Some of the ideas we’ve added in this year have been as a result of ideas that they’ve put forward.”

Primary seven pupils with their primary one buddies (Image: Colin Mearns)

Eva Murray, councillor for Garscadden/Scotstounhill, joined proud parents cheering on runners at the event.

Cllr Murray said: “This is the second year that I’ve come along to support the kids and it’s really impressive to see how they’ve worked, the primary five class has worked to make this a reality today.

“It’s a really important fundraiser for the school and I think they’ve all really enjoyed it.

"I’m incredibly proud to support it and really proud of the runners.”