Pupils give up home comforts to raise cash for flood victims

SEPARATING a child from their Xbox or favourite TV show may seem like an impossible task for any parent.

Yet kind-hearted pupils at Murrayburn Primary have gone without all their favourite items and home comforts for a week to raise money for the victims of the Pakistan floods.

Youngsters have turned their back on sweets, TV, computer games and visiting grandparents in return for sponsorship money to go towards the appeals.

Some have even opted to go to bed early, while one pupil has given up his bed entirely.

Teachers at the Sighthill school have also joined in the sacrifice, giving up tea and coffee, make-up, shaving and shoes for the week.

Headteacher Michael Urquhart said the exercise has encouraged children to learn about global issues.

He said: "This year we are trying to develop our global citizen group as part of Curriculum for Excellence.

"We wanted to raise awareness of the issues in Pakistan and came up with the idea of all giving up something.

"We didn't just want kids to give up money, we wanted it to be something that would have an impact on them.

"The teachers also elected to do it. One of the teachers isn't shaving, one is walking to work, one is not wearing make-up and Mrs Briggs, who usually wears outrageously crazy shoes, is wearing boring shoes and slippers.

"I usually have about nine cups of tea and coffee a day and have given that up. I've got the shakes.

"I actually got a row from the pupils when I was tidying out the gym cupboard and I found a tea cup. I was walking to put it away and the pupils thought I was drinking tea."

He added: "They've really got into this. It has increased their awareness of global issues."

Daniel Kerr, nine, has chosen to give up his bed and has been sleeping on his bedroom floor all week.

He said: "I just thought in Pakistan they don't have any beds so why don't I try giving up mine.

"It's been quite comfortable and it gets easier. My mum was quite shocked by it."

Deputy headteacher Pamela Briggs, a self-confessed shoe addict, has given up her beloved heels for the week and has been wearing slippers instead.

She has already raised 100 from family and friends.

She said: "I'm absolutely obsessed with shoes and probably have about 80 pairs. I wear crazy heels, sparkly shoes, multi-coloured shoes every day to work. It's something the kids love to see.

"I have been suffering and I will definitely be back to heels."