PRIMARY school children in Inverclyde are using fitness to send food parcels as part of an international campaign to fight hunger.

Six local schools are taking part in a pioneering UNICEF project called Kids Power, where pupils get active to save lives.

Primary six kids in Whinhill, Lady Alice, St Ninian’s, Newark, St Andrew’s and Inverkip have all been busy in the gym hall to clock up hours of exercise.

In exchange for the time spent getting active they have unlocked nearly 2,000 food parcels that Unicef will now send to children living in Third World countries.

All the schools are actively involved in supporting UNICEF and the work they do on children’s rights.

Whinhill Primary co-ordinator Sharon Lightfoot said: “It has been a real privilege to be a part of this. It is an incredible project and we are the first in Scotland to take part.

“It is not only about the food parcels.

“We are also learning more about nutrition, as part of a wider education programme.”

To celebrate the project Whinhill, inset, hosted a big aerobics event for all the schools involved to come together and unlock even more parcels.

Whinhill Primary and the other schools involved are all part of the Unicef’s rights respecting schools initiative as well.

Teacher Sharon added: “This is all very much at the heart of what we do at the school.”

Lady Alice, who are also involved, also staged a thought-provoking play at school assembly.

Wearing high-vis vests, the primary five pupils acted out the life-saving humanitarian role UNICEF aid workers carry out following a natural disaster.

During the show, the youngsters used drama and songs to depict the work of the children’s charity.

Class teacher Linda Craig said: “Twenty six children from my primary five class put on an assembly on the theme of children’s rights.

“They focused on the role that UNICEF play after an earthquake.

“We invited their parents along to watch alongside the rest of the school and the feedback we got was really positive.”

Mrs Craig was keen to thank the parents for helping them to raise cash for the charity.

She added: “The parents have been very supportive so we want to thank them very much.”