Local charities get £60,000 funding boost

TWENTY SECONDARY schools in Edinburgh have been responsible for a vital funding boost of £60,000 to local charities through their involvement in the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

The schools applied to The Wood Foundation programme which allows young people to work in teams to identify social issues impacting their communities and the charities addressing them, with the students developing creative presentations in a bid to secure their school’s £3000 grant.

The top three social issues securing YPI funding this year were support for those facing health and ability conditions, services to address mental health and wellbeing, and action to tackle poverty in Scotland’s communities.

Barbara Johnstone, MBE, is Organiser and Trustee of Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled Associaton in Balerno, which secured two grants. She said: “The successful groups were impressive from the start and clearly took on board all I had shared with them in their presentations. YPI is so beneficial for the personal growth of the

youngsters and the reward for us is massive.”

Student Hannah Treagus, who has volunteered at Ravelrig RDA for more than two years, added: “Fundraising has been hard hit by Covid-19 and I really wanted to share the passion I have for

Ravelrig RDA through YPI. We worked really hard on our presentation and were really determined to do well. I am so pleased we secured this funding which will go towards a new horse when the centre can reopen properly.”

YPI is managed and majority funded by The Wood Foundation, a venture philanthropic organisation committed to addressing social inequity and investing in developing young people in Scotland.

The foundation was established family in 2007.