Our U6 students dedicated their Chapel Week to a cause with personal significance to Craigleith.

We were honoured to welcome Lisa Petrie, a former colleague, who shared the moving story of her son's death due to knife crime, and her subsequent campaign to improve knife safety and provide bleed kits across Scotland. Thanks to a red-themed own clothes day and bake sale, we raised £1200 — funding 12 bleed kits for the Edinburgh community. We were also privileged to receive a kit for the school.

“I want to say a massive thank you to everyone from Fettes College for inviting us in, and for all the love, care and support they have given towards my boy’s campaign  “John McNab Not in Vain”. Without your help we could never have achieved this. Thank you so much.” Lisa Petrie

This week was about action as well as awareness. Hayley McDougal of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service explained that with just 2% of the population giving blood, and an aging donor base, there is an urgent need for more young people to enlist as donors. The campaign culminated with several Sixth Form students visiting the blood donor centre and making their first donation -  beginning what we hope will be a lifelong commitment to Give Back.

"I was incredibly impressed by the student talks, and it was a privilege to share my own experience of supporting a former member of the Fettes community, Verity Young, who as a young child received blood during her courageous fight against lupus. Before she passed away, Verity expressed a heartfelt wish that more people would become blood donors. I am sure she would have been so proud to see all that has taken place this week in response to that same spirit of giving. It has been an honour to be involved." Hayley McDougal