New kits for East End Primary School youngsters thanks to pupil's Ben Nevis effort
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A PRIMARY school pupil from Elgin has gone to new levels to raise funds for his football team after climbing Ben Nevis.
Joseph Sinclair (10), who is in P7 at East End, raised £800 to get new strips for the primary school, as well as new goalposts.
The school's football team has only recently formed, with Joseph's mother Lesley saying it has been a "massive thing" for the pupils.
However, the kits they were using were old – so thought was put into how fundraising could be done for new ones.
"The kits were really old, probably from the 1990s, and we had no money for kits," Lesley said. "We didn't like asking parents for money, so we thought we would fundraise.
"It was originally a bit of a joke that we would climb Ben Nevis, but then we thought 'why don't we'?
"Joseph found it tough. The weather changed when we were going up and he said 'I don't want to go any further' but we had a pep talk.
"It was about 20 minutes from the top he had a wobble, but now he is so glad he did finish it. People were amazed that he did it."
The school's football team itself has been a success, with many members of the school community – and beyond – pulling together to make it work.
"There is such a buzz at the school with having the football back," Lesley said. "We moved here three years ago and were surprised there wasn't a football team.
"It has really boosted Joseph's confidence, and a lot of children that age need a physical outlet. Everyone is excited and happy.
"It has given kids pride in their school and representation at competitions."
Further afield than the school community, Elgin City Women manager Mo Morrison and John Stewart, a painter from Lossiemouth, have agreed to help with kits and equipment.
John is going to provide kits for P6 and P7 pupils, while Mo will provide for P4 and P5s.
Joseph's reward for his efforts is the number seven shirt – his favourite due to being a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lesley thanked Tracy Picksley, the school's inclusion officer, teachers Steven Thomson and Scott Black and parent Jamie Sutherland for their help with the team.
Anyone wishing to donate to the cause should visit GoFundMe here.
