James Gillespie students secure YPI £3,000 funding for new horse at Ravelrig RDA

Two students at James Gillespie High School have secured £3,000 for a new horse for the Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled charity following a competitive virtual Youth and Philanthropy Initiative event.

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S4’s Hannah Treagus and Viviane Bachmann won their school’s £3000 YPI grant for the charity after conducting in-depth research, interviews and using their creativity to produce a business presentation.

Hannah has volunteered at Ravelrig RDA for more than two years.

The charity is based in Balerno and provides riding and associated activities for children and adults.

She said: “Fundraising has been really 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.”

Viviane added: “It was good to be able to be creative and do something which excited us. YPI was a good bonding experience, not only in our team but across the year. We learned about a lot of different charities in Edinburgh.”

Judges of the YPI Showcase included school staff and Claire Drummond from Standard Life Aberdeen who are strong supporters of YPI in Edinburgh.

Ravelrig horse

Other charities represented by the S4 students included The Yard, Edinburgh South Community Football Club, Shakti Women’s Aid, and Penumbra.

Barbara Johnstone MBE, Organiser and Trustee of Ravelrig RDA which also secured a YPI grant through students at St George’s School earlier this year, said: “YPI is so beneficial for the personal growth of the youngsters and the reward for us is massive.”

YPI is an active citizenship programme of The Wood Foundation which empowers young people to make a difference in their communities while developing a host of skills. Almost £5m of charitable giving is carried out through YPI.

Kathleen Bladon leads YPI at James Gillespie High School. She said: “Having the funding for the community locked in was a real motivator to make sure we still did YPI this year.

“Our students have kept us going this year and did an incredible job with their presentations. Teenagers stuck at home are capable of really brilliant things and I am so proud.”

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