Pupils from George Watson’s College take to drill for Red, White & Blue Day
On March 16th, senior pupils from George Watson’s College in Edinburgh took part in a special military marching house competition to raise awareness for Red, White & Blue Day, a national fundraising day for the UK’s main service charities that the School has supported regularly over the last few years. The competition saw the pupils battle against each another in their respective school Houses, with the winners being chosen by the Garrison Sergeant Major of the Edinburgh Army Garrison.
Red, White & Blue Day is run annually by the UK’s three national Armed Forces charities; ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, and The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. On the day, children come to school dressed in red, white and blue clothing, and donate £1 in support of Service families.
George Watson’s College has raised in excess of £12,000 over the years and the pupils were moved with a visit by Paul Lambert when he visited the School previously to highlight the way that the charity supports serving and ex-military personnel and their families who require help to return to family life following life changing injuries whilst serving in the armed forces.
The competition saw the pupils, who have no cadet or military experience learn basis marching skills with one senior pupil in each House giving the marching commands. Training was given by four experienced soldiers under the watchful eye of the Garrison Sergeant Major.
Patty Wallis, project manager for Red, White & Blue Day comments: “What better a way for the school children to learn more about our Armed Forces than to take part in something so very military. I am sure all those who took part were marching as best they could, they wouldn’t want to have the Sergeant correct them!”
Mr Gordon Boyd, Head of the Senior School at George Watson College said: “This is a new competition which has captured the imagination of our pupils. It is a superb opportunity to work with our armed forces, raise awareness of these charities and learn new skills whilst having fun and working as part of a close team.”
To find out more about Red, White & Blue day, please visit: www.redwhiteblueday.co.uk.
You can also follow Red, White & Blue Day on Facebook at Facebook.com/redwhiteblueday or twitter with @RedWhiteBlueDay