East Ayrshire pupils join forces with Save the Children

Launched this week, pupils in schools across the county will "Get Stuck In" and win a point for every meal that is served. The points will be added up at the end of term to allow Save the Children to purchase a variety of essentials for needy children and their families. For example, 140 points will feed a starving child for a week; 280 points is enough to get a new school desk; 780 points buys a bicycle; and 3,200 points will allow the charity to deliver a Yak, providing milk, wool and help with the ploughing. Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council said: "There are many countries throughout the world, including Scotland, where people are struggling to live. Now pupils from East Ayrshire can help them just by enjoying a healthy, nutritious school meal." Robin Gourlay, Head of Facilities Management with East Ayrshire Council added: "This simple, but groundbreaking idea will also help in the classroom. Pupils in East Ayrshire will be able learn more about the lives of those less fortunate and how they can make a difference simply by having a good Scottish school meal." Save the Children hope that the tie-in with East Ayrshire Council will lead to similar schemes being adopted elsewhere across the country. Nicola Breen, Save the Children's Community Fundraising Executive in Scotland said: "Get Stuck In is a brilliant idea and for Save the Children it is a very exciting development. It is hugely important both to raise money to buy essential items for those who are less fortunate, and to raise awareness amongst school pupils in Scotland of the reality of life for children of their own age in the developing world."