Schools in Moray want pupils to wear blue and yellow to school for Ukraine this Thursday, including Seafield Primary and Speyside High, says head teacher Morven Snodgrass
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MORAY schools are encouraging pupils to turn up wearing blue and yellow for Ukraine, as part of a Unicef fundraiser this Thursday, March 31.
Seafield Primary School in Elgin and Speyside High School in Aberlour are two schools set to be joining in on the campaign, which urges people to give "Pennies for Peace".
Morven Snodgrass, head teacher at Seafield Primary School, said the idea was dreamt up after she was contacted by the Unicef Moray Committee.
She said: "The committee was keen for us to do something in local schools.
"At first the idea was to just run a fundraiser at Seafield Primary, but then to involve other Moray schools I got in touch with Vivienne Cross, who is our Head of Service, about the idea.
"We knew we didn't want to put pressure on families because of the Education Service's poverty agenda and the rising cost of living.
"So, we had a discussion and came up with the slogan Pennies for Peace.
"What we are going to do in any Moray school who wishes to participate this Thursday, March 31, is to encourage any children and staff to wear yellow and blue to support Ukraine."
As part of the fundraising effort, a special poster was designed by Primary Four-Five pupil Harley Lauchlan, a member of the Rights Respecting Schools committee handpicked for her design talent.
The post was sent out to the Council headquarters and to every head teacher in Moray to spread the Pennies for Peace message.
Mrs Snodgrass said: "Harley and I worked for a morning and we managed to adapt a great poster she had made to include the slogan Pennies for Peace and the My Unicef slogan and the date and information."
The fundraising effort will add to a long list of contributions to easing the Ukraine crisis made by Moray schools.
This includes huge collection and donation efforts and other major cash drives.
Mrs Snodgrass said the motive behind the latest fundraiser is the terrible reality of the Ukraine situation.
Explaining the purpose of the fundraising, she said: "Firstly, to raise awareness and show support for what is going on in Ukraine, particularly for the children who are affected.
"And that is the most important thing, because we want to show support for the children who are obviously living in a war-torn country.
"Or else, a huge number of families are refugees now, are seeking refuge in neighbouring lands.
"Secondly, I thought we really should do something in Moray schools about the situation.
"The staff this morning were having a bit of a chat and saying we need to be looking out our blue and yellow clothes, ready for Thursday.
"What we want to see, as far as possible, is a sea of blue and yellow in the school.
"If people want to make a donation, they can but we do not want to put financial pressure on families, which is why it is called Pennies for Peace."
