Lanark Grammar unveils charity week programme

Today (Monday) sees the start of their annual charity week, and this year the proceeds – which last year amounted to £4000 – will be going to a project focusing on the mental health of young people.

“We know that throughout the UK 1 in 10 young people aged 5-16 suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder. This works out to be three in every classroom,” said the team organising the Grammar events.

“This is an appalling fact and needs to be changed.

“Lanark Grammar has chosen to support YoungMinds UK for the charity week to help face this problem and help to support our young people within the school who face these problems by raising awareness of it.

“We hope that throughout this week we can raise lots of money to help YoungMinds improve the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people throughout the UK as well as increasing our own awareness of our own mental health as well as others.”

The week’s programme sees a massive range of activities every day.

Monday’s fundraisers include a Tug of War, a challenge to identify teachers from their infant photos, and a Battle of the Ages with female 6th year pupils taking on teachers on the football pitch.

Tuesday sees a Beat the Goalie, and hula-hooping competitions.

Wednesday is the fashion show with a surprise twist, and is generally a crazy hair day, with all pupils invited to spray on colours and add ribbons to their hair.

Things get more personal on Thursday, when the pupils take their revenge on teachers with sponges or cream pies.

“And our head teacher is going to be gunged in custard,” added Robyn Patrick, one of the 6th year organisers.

And on Friday, November 13, the activities culminate in a luncthime concert.

“The teachers are going to be doing some competitionson the stage, based on the Generation Game,” said Robyn.

Jade Zelkowicz, Senior Community Fundraiser at YoungMinds said: ‘We are delighted that Lanark Grammar School have chosen to help children and young people with mental health problems by fundraising for us.

“It is vital that the stigma around mental health is reduced through awareness raising and we could not continue our work without the support of passionate fundraisers.

“We wish them all the best with their activities!’

Show support for YoungMinds by tweeting a picture of your palm with your name and #SupportsYoungMinds and tag @YoungMindsUK