A pair of big-hearted schoolgirls put their best foot forward to help children whose families can’t afford to buy them shoes.
Lauren Barrie and Sophie Johnson, both aged 15 and S4 pupils at Armadale Academy, collected more than
300 pairs of shoes to send around the world and also raised £400 for charity.
The girls decided last to support Sal’s Shoes, a charity that over the last nine years has distributed more than four million pairs of pre-loved children’s shoes in 59 countries around the world.
Lauren told the Courier: “Early last year we decided to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which includes doing 26 weeks of volunteering.
“We decided to partner up and volunteer for a charity based in England called Sal’s Shoes.”
She explained: “Sal’s shoes collect and donates shoes to children less fortunate around the world and ships them to more than 50 countries.
“Sophie and I went to Southdale, Amadale, Eastertoun and Windyknowe Primary schools and went round each of the year groups showing them a PowerPoint to explain
what Sal’s shoes is and why we were helping. We then asked for donations of shoes in good condition.
“Armadale Academy also participated, and we managed to collect 329 pairs of shoes.
“Sal’s shoes also ask for a £1 donation per pair of shoes so that they can ship them to foreign countries, so we held dress down days at each of those primaries and held a bake sale at Armadale Academy.
"We have already managed to raise £421.82. This will help us complete our Duke of Edinburgh award and helps a charity at the same time.
“Local distribution company Drummonds, based in Armadale, has very kindly offered to ship them for free to England for us.
“We greatly appreciate the help of the primary schools and Drummonds, and hope to benefit the lives of others in need.”
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