AN ALLOA good cause received a four-figure donation from Alva Academy through a pupil-led initiative.

Give a Dog a Bone, who have a space on Alloa's Mar Street, were awarded £3,000 by the school as part of the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

As part of the YPI, 174 S3 pupils were empowered to make a difference in their local community.

Over the 12 weeks programme, pupils explored the social issues facing Clackmannanshire and identified a local charity that supported their chosen social issue.

After getting in touch with their chosen charity, pupils spent several weeks creating creative and convincing presentations to try and secure their charity the £3,000 YPI grant.

In the end, six groups secured a place in the final and presented to seven judges in front of the entire S3 cohort on Friday, December 3.

The finalists were Strathcarron Hospice, Alzheimer Scotland, Reachout With Arts in Mind, The Chris Mitchell Foundation, Give a Dog a Bone and OYCI, with all groups giving empowering and passionate presentations using their engagement with their charities to wow the judges.

After a difficult deliberation, Give a Dog a Bone was announced as the winning group.

Winning pupils Chloe Murray, Lucy Richardson and Megan Scott, who represented the charity, are currently organising to meet with the charity's representation.

Give a Dog a Bone brings together older adults and rescue pets to tackle both loneliness and animal homelessness.

RMPS teacher Miss Teasdale said: "I am delighted to see the return of the YPI initiative this year especially given the circumstances of the Covid-19 situation it has highlighted the social issues our young people face in our community.

"Each group spoke with passion and proved to the judges that they had an awareness of their chosen social issue as well as an understanding of the incredible work of their chosen charity.

"As our headteacher, Mr McEwan, said at the final: 'Alva's future is in very safe hands'."