Pupils from schools in Perth and Kinross have shown their caring side by raising awareness and funds on a host of social issues impacting their communities.

An entire year group at 10 participating schools took part in The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

Working in teams, young people chose a prominent social issue to focus on such as mental health, disability or domestic violence, before researching and choosing a local charity addressing this issue.

Each team then developed presentations focused on their chosen charity, combining a business case centred on why their chosen organsiation should receive a £3000 charitable award.

The strongest teams from each school were then progressed to a school final where they presented to a judging panel with one team securing £3000 for the charity.

In Perth and Kinross, the top issues represented in the finals were disability, health and mental health.

The schools taking part and their chosen charities were: Blairgowrie High School - Perth Autism Support; Kinross High School - Riding for the Disabled Association; St John’s Academy - Ceder; Perth High School - Cycling Without Age; Perth Academy - Headway; Crieff High School - Mindspace; Morrison’s Academy - Post Adoption Central Support; Breadalbane Academy - RSABI; Pitlochry High School - The Wilderness Foundation; Perth Grammar School - RASAC.

Jonathan Christie, deputy UK director at The Wood Foundation, said: “It is wonderful that YPI is having such an incredible impact locally. Engaging young people with their communities and empowering them with the skills and platform to make a difference is vitally important as we develop the active citizens of today and the future.

“Congratulations to the young people in the local area who achieved so much last year for the region’s incredibly worthwhile charities. We hope their experiences act as a catalyst to continue their philanthropy and we look forward to seeing what this year’s young philanthropists will achieve in the area.”