Pupils in African adventure bid

Mar 6 2009 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

CARING pupils are appealing for sponsorship to help send them to build a school in Uganda.

The group, from St Andrew’s Academy, need to raise £35,000 to take with them to the town of Kigumba this summer.

During the two week trip, the 22 senior pupils and four teachers will work with local tradesmen to build four new classrooms for the children of Kihura Primary School.

The group is already halfway towards reaching their target total. This is thanks to fancy dress days, sponsored fasts, calendar sales, ceilidhs, raffles, concerts and other sponsored events.

And they are looking for people to come along to their biggest fundraising event, a black tie dinner dance at the Thistle Hotel on Saturday, March 14.

Head boy Andrew McCormack is taking part in the trip.

He said: “The evening will include a three course meal and a charity raffle hosted by guest speaker Hardeep Singh Kohli. This will hopefully contribute significantly to our fundraising.”

This year’s group will leave Glasgow on Friday, June 12 and return on Monday, June 29.

Head teacher Tony Quinn added: “St Andrew’s Academy is committed to building links with a school community in Uganda in order to further the educational opportunities for young people in that part of the world.

“Our aim is the project team will help to provide educational facilities, as well as forging international links that will encourage our students to consider their role in the wider world and to be responsible, effective and considerate global citizens.”

Tickets for the dinner dance are priced £45 each, table bookings for up to ten guests are priced £400.

These can be purchased through St Andrew’s Academy, and cheques should be made payable to St Andrew’s Academy Uganda Project.

For more information on purchasing tickets, contact the school on 0141 887 5201.