Speyside youngsters prepare for night in the cold

A GROUP of 40 pupils from Speyside are preparing to sleep outside this Friday to raise awareness of homelessness in Scotland.

Youngsters at Speyside High will spend the night in the cold to raise money for the homeless charity Social Bite and for the women's refuge in Elgin.

It is the second year that pupils from the Moray secondary have joined in the Wee Sleep Out, with 27 youngsters taking part in 2018.

Principal teacher of modern studies Laura Childs said participants, who are sleeping in the courtyard of the school, will only have sleeping bags and survival bags for warmth.

During the evening, two of the pupils taking part – Fraser and Rowan MacDonald – will be performing a busking concert.

It will be a move from carpet to cardboard for S1 pupil Charlie Kennedy, who is also taking part. This time last year he was interviewing national sporting legends on the paparazzi-lined red carpet after winning a sports journalism award.

After Friday's sleep out, he will share his experiences of a night out in the cold.

Also taking part in the national movement are members and friends of Bellie Church, who are hosting the Bellie Sleepout on Saturday in Bellie Church Garden from 9pm.

Those who wish to take part in the Fochabers Sleepout can email bellieandspeymouth@gmail.com for information.

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