Generations celebrate 50 years of donating

Jul 1 2009 by Sharon Liptrott, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

GENERATIONS of youngsters at Lochmaben Primary School are celebrating 50 years of donations to a children’s charity.

The “penny box” was started at the Annandale school in 1959 by a former headteacher who singled out the Lockerbie and District branch of Save The Children for cash aid.

Ever since, a collection has been taken every Thursday from pupils and staff who want to contribute to the worthy cause, which itself celebrates its 90th birthday this year.

Initially around £67 a year was raised but this has risen to around £1,300 with today’s pupils setting themselves a £35 weekly target to raise.

The contribution of thousands of pounds over the years has been recognised with local Lockerbie branch members and school representatives meeting Princess Anne, the President of the Save the Children Fund a few years ago.

Depute headteacher Anne Aldridge believes at least three generations of pupils have taken part in the weekly collection over the half century.

She said: “I think it is quite a unique collection and we are rightly proud of all the pupils who have taken part to help other children.”

As well as the penny box, each year’s P6 class is invited to plan and organise a fundraising fete for the charity at the end of the summer term.

This year’s fete on Monday was a huge success, raising £427.

P6 pupils made bookmarks, door hangers, painted stones, greeting cards and friendship bracelets for fellow pupils to buy.

They also created lots of games for the children to take part in. The class is now to decide on which Save The Children project they would like their money to help.