SCHOOL pupils are a class act after delivering a £3,000 boost to help grieving young people

Students from Port Glasgow High secured vital funding for the Ardgowan Hospice Butterfly Project after winning the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Scotland competition.

Third year pupils Skye Smith, Jessica Henderson and Stuart McElwee, all 14, successfully convinced a panel of judges that the bereavement support service should receive the money after delivering a powerful presentation about it.

They competed against other teams in the contest, which is funded by The Wood Foundation.

Jessica said: "I'm so happy we won because I have experience of working with the Butterfly Project."

The winning team, along with teacher Mohammed Hamid and head teacher Stuart Clark, presented a cheque to Janice Lee, from the Butterfly Project.

Stuart, said: "I didn't expect to win because the other presentations were so good."

Team-mate Skye added: "It was such a great experience."

As well as providing an important financial boost to the Ardgowan Hospice service, there will also be a spin-off benefit.

Janice, a children and family support worker for the Butterfly Project, said: "We will use that towards producing a training pack which will hopefully go into every school to raise awareness of the bereavement needs of children and young people.

"Skye, Jessica and Stuart put so much into it finding out about the service and what we do."

Port High head teacher, Mr Clark, paid tribute to all the pupils who took part in the competition.

He said: "I'm incredibly proud of all the presenting teams. "They all did really well and presented convincing cases for each of their chosen charities.

"It was very difficult for the judging panel.

"Jessica in particular told a powerful, personal story on the impact of the Butterfly Project to all her peers and everyone was so impressed with her.

"We're delighted to support the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, which raises awareness of so many good organisations in the area, and the Butterfly Project."

Mr Hamid added: "For people of such a young age to be exploring and investigating social issues is a massive thing.

"We're so proud of them."