Lockerbie trip fundraiser a real walking challenge

In fact, with the help of their families, they’re prepared to go an extra 157 miles.

That’s the distance to be covered in a sponsored walk involving children from St John’s Primary and St Mark’s Primary, both in Barrhead, and St Thomas’ Primary, in Neilston, during October.

It is equivalent to a return trip from East Renfrewshire to Lockerbie, where the primary seven pupils are due to go on a residential school trip next May.

Each family that takes up the challenge is asked to walk a total of 157 miles between them before the end of this month.

Funds raised will help pay for the trip to Lockerbie Manor, where the children can enjoy team building activities ahead of their move from primary to secondary school.

Anna Marie Johnston, chair of St Mark’s Primary Parent Council, told the Barrhead News: “It’s an important milestone for the children in their school life and, the more money we raise, the more chance we have that every child will have the opportunity to go.

“It’s almost like their ‘last tango’ as they move up from primary school to high school and make fantastic memories they’ll keep their whole life.

“They always come back having absolutely loved it and this is part of their transition to high school.

“The three schools go together and, hopefully, will be able to mingle with each other and work together in teams.”

More than 100 children across the three schools are involved in the fundraising drive, with 320,000 steps set as the total goal for the month.

Anna Marie added: “Every P7 parent greatly appreciates the support that other parents in the school and the wider community give to them.

“The best way for people to get involved is through this fundraiser and the money that comes in will be split equally between the three schools.”

For updates on the challenge, follow @StMarksPrimary1, @StJohnsERC and @St_Thomas_ERC on Twitter.

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/p7-lockerbie.