Pupils at an Orkney school have been given nearly £20,000 to help them get outdoors as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Stromness Academy has been awarded the money from the Scottish Government’s healthy islands fund, which aims to help young people explore and engage with surrounding nature.
It is one of 15 community projects in Orkney that will receive a share of £422,000.
The funds will be used to purchase expedition equipment and staff training to provide the pupils with a high-quality experience as they progress through the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme.
Explorers will need equipment including sleeping bags, cooking equipment and waterproofs.
The Duke of Edinburgh award scheme was set up in 1956 by Prince Philip and allows young people to develop vital skills through voluntary and physical challenges and expeditions.
Funding shows commitment to awards
Stromness Academy headteacher Jane Partridge said: “The successful award of £19,728.78 demonstrates the belief in the programme that we have here at Stromness Academy.
“We had successfully re-introduced Duke of Edinburgh bronze with S3 pupils and were beginning to move up to older pupils and higher levels before Covid interrupted, but needing to borrow equipment restricted our operations.
“Having our own equipment at the Academy means we will be able to offer the benefits of this programme to more students.
“We have a long and successful history with the Duke of Edinburgh programme here in Orkney and this is something we are keen to promote and continue.
“The healthy islands fund is a superb initiative to improve well-being for all. It has been a really challenging time for everyone and especially our younger students who have had to grow and mature in a time of much isolation.”