Dumfriesshire schoolchildren have joined in a regional response to help the vulnerable through the cost of living crisis.
Community-minded Annan Academy pupils used a non-uniform day on Friday, marking the start of the October break, to help users of Annan Day Centre and Kate’s Kitchen in the town.
School captains Louis Johnstone and Zoe Mitchell, supported by S6 pupils, came up with the idea that, instead of asking for a £1 charity donation for the dress-down, they would ask all pupils and staff to donate an item of non-perishable food.
The response was amazing, with hundreds of items handed in, with more than 800 young people responding to their community’s expected struggle to “eat and heat” this winter.
Louis said they are “proud” of the response, with senior pupils taking the goods to the two charities this week,
He added: “We want to strengthen the links we have with the community and show that we’re all Annan community together,” while Zoe added: “I’m just so proud we could do this.”
Meanwhile, younger children have also been making a difference in Lochmaben.
The children chose two foodbanks to receive their gifts – Queen of the South Food Hub in Dumfries and Kate’s Kitchen in Annan.
