Two groups of students are trying to win prize money for Re-engage tea party groups in Carmyllie and Laurencekirk in Scotland after being impressed by the great work of our volunteers.

The girls, from Arbroath High School and Brechin High School, are all vying to secure £3,000 through the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) which is run by the Wood Foundation, and is designed to raise awareness of social issues, while helping students develop skills and confidence.

The third-year students from Brechin were inspired to support us by Kirsten Munro, whose great grandparents, Billy and Olive, were members of the Laurencekirk tea party group. Sadly, Billy died earlier this year, and Kirsten wanted to pay tribute to him by securing the funding.

The girls from Arbroath wanted to help raise the profile of a charity in their area. Thanks to some quick thinking by Angus tea party group coordinator, Jean Malcolm, who had sent information to local schools outlining the work of Re-engage, Holly Metcalf, Maia Mcewen, Poppy Nicoll and Nieve Knox, all 14, chose us.

Both groups of students recently attended tea parties to meet the guests and see first-hand how we support older people in their community.

Jane Galloway, Laurencekirk coordinator, said: “Billy absolutely loved the tea parties so Kirsten wanted to do something in his memory, which is a lovely gesture. Olive still comes along and really enjoys them.”

Kirsten is being helped in the YPI bid by friends, Rachel O’Hara, Rian Tough and Emily Wishart, all 14.

Valerie Norrie, who runs the Carmyllie group, said: “When the girls came along we were very impressed by them. They were polite and enjoyed talking to the guests. It was so good to see the generations mixing.” 

As well as competing for the YPI prize, Holly and her friends have already raised over £500 for the Carmyllie group with a 12km sponsored coastal walk from Arbroath to East Haven and back.

Hollie’s mum, Alison Metcalf, said: “They wanted to do something for a charity that was not particularly well-known in our area and when they saw the information from Jean they just went for it.

“They loved chatting to the older people at the tea party and have learned an awful lot. They really are putting in a lot effort and wanted to see how the money they raised helps the work of Re-engage.

“I am very proud of how passionately they have got involved in this project and even if they don’t win, they have done something amazing by raising the profile of the charity.”

The students will deliver presentations early next year, after which the prize money will be allocated to the winning team.