Highland schools raise support for Ukraine

A pupil stands with his classmates outside on a sunny day and above his head he has raised a blue and yellow paper heart which read "Kilmuir Primary School #wesupportukraine.
Kilmuir Primary School pupils show their support for Ukraine with blue and yellow paper hearts.

Schools across Highland are showing their support for Ukraine by organising sponsored activities and events to raise donations to help Ukrainian refugees.

Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “The events happening in Ukraine are shocking as people are forced to flee their home for safety. We are proud of our children and young people who are organising and participating in activities to show and raise support for Ukrainian refugees. Many of our schools across Highland work hard throughout the year to develop and strengthen their pupil’s attitudes towards people’s rights and respect for others. It is encouraging to see our young people demonstrating this now to help families who are experiencing a very difficult situation and an uncertain future. I would encourage people to keep an eye out for what their local school has organised and to please donate where you are able to.”

Several Highland schools are organising a dress down day by asking pupils to donate £1 and to wear blue and yellow items of clothing, the colours of the Ukrainian flag. Schools will be donating to the national charity of their choice including The British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal, UNICEF, The UN Refugee Agency, and Save the Children’s Ukrainian Crisis Relief Fund.

Some schools have chosen to organise sponsored sporting events to help raise money for Ukraine. Kinmylies Primary will be highlighting the long journey which many Ukrainian families have to make in order to reach safety through a sponsored walk. Pupils from ELC to P7 will be collectively walking 35 miles within the school grounds. PE classes at Invergordon Academy have also started ‘running to Ukraine’ by logging their distances during cross-country practice.

Ukraine’s national flower – the sunflower – is also used by schools to show their support. Kingussie High School have organised a sunflower growing competition and donated sunflower seeds to local businesses so the flowers may grow in shop windows. A QR code is being used alongside the sunflowers for members of the public to scan and donate money where they can. Pupils at Ferintosh and Mulbuie Primary Schools will be making their own sunflowers with a blue centre to display in the school’s windows.

Last week, schools across the world celebrated World Book Day. The pupils of Newton Park Primary School wanted to celebrate World Book Day while also providing support to Ukraine. Therefore, the children donated books and then organised and ran a book sale to raise just over £75.

Due to economic waste and export rules, most charities are sending money directly to partner organisations as they feel that to be more effective and efficient use of resources. However, if individuals do wish to donate goods then some schools are also currently accepting donations. Information on donations is available on individual school’s websites and social media platforms.

8 Mar 2022