PUPILS from Auchinleck and Valley Academies secured £6,000 funding for their chosen charities.

Each school received £3,000 as part of a nationwide scheme, called the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), run by the Wood Foundation.

Sir Ian Wood and his family set up the foundation in 2007 to incorporate a number of charitable projects at home and around the world.

Auchinleck Academy’s beneficiary is Beautiful Inside and Out (SCIO), set up by Pauline Moriarty in 2013 following the suicide of her 13-year-old daughter Jenna in East Ayrshire.

Doon Academy selected the Royal British Legion Scotland, the veterans’ charity which supports East Ayrshire residents from their base in Kilmarnock.

Secondary school pupils across the country secured £690,000 for small, grassroots charities in Scotland through YPI.

Taking place in all 32 local authority regions, charities tackling social issues such as mental health, domestic abuse, community provision, health support services and sports were benefactors of YPI grants.

In the coming year, 255 schools will take part in YPI, one of the biggest and most successful independent initiatives being delivered in Scottish education, engaging a total of 34,000 young people in their local communities.

Deputy Director of Wood Foundation, Jonathan Christie said: “The results from the 2017/18 academic year provide a unique insight of the causes empowered young people in communities across Scotland care about.”

An entire year group takes part in YPI.

Through a unique programme of research, teamwork and competition, one team secures a grant for their chosen cause.

Sir Ian Wood made his fortune in North Sea Oil, building a reputation for transforming smaller companies. He is one of Scotland’s wealthiest businessmen.