Edinburgh community rally to ensure no child loses out on school camp due to poverty

An Edinburgh school community is rallying together to try to raise thousands so that no child will have to miss out on Clermiston Primary’s P7 trip due to financial hardship.

Mum-of-two Sonia Whelan is among a group of 34 parents and pupils that will be running a variety of races at this year’s Edinburgh Marathon Festival (EMF) across Saturday May 25 and Sunday May 26.

The 37-year-old says that a number of the parents have been motivated as families across Clermiston and Drum Brae are ‘feeling the pinch’ economically.

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In August 2024, children will be invited to attend the annual P7 school trip to Lagganlia but many families are struggling to meet the costs of the £450 three day excursion.

“We as parents are motivated by the fact that everyone is feeling the pinch just now with some more than others,” the senior nursery practitioner said. “Clermiston is a close knit community and the school would hate for any parents to not be able to send their child due to cost and miss out on making lifelong memories with their peers.

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“I have seen more families who work hard and earn money but still feel they have to use the library hub food stock that they have been giving away to ease the pressure a bit. Children gain amazing memories and life skills from school camps and would be a complete shame for a child to miss out due to costs.”

Parents began fundraising for the school when they entered the EMF team relay in 2021 with two teams.

Since then it has grown into a bigger fundraiser each year, with this year seeing their largest number of participants competing across all race categories.

Sandra Dargie, the chair of Clermiston Primary parent council added: “I am so proud to look at the names of our 34 runners who are currently training hard to complete their respective races. It is a phenomenal group effort and I am thrilled to see how many athletes; young and less-young we have in our Clermiston community.”

So far the group have managed to raise £1,380.

Those running taking part:

Marathon: Kirsty and Susan

Half Marathon: Sonia

10K: Angie, Ewa, Sandra and Sarah

5K: Jo and Magda

Junior 5K: Frieda and Paige

Junior 2K: Alexander, Ayben, Cian, Daniel, Felix, Jessica, Katie, Louis, Lucas, Mack, Olivia and Will.

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Junior 1.5K: Carson, Dominik, Emie, Emily, Lucas, Matt and Sophie.