In the first week of the Fettes summer break, we hosted our eighth SuperTroop holiday for children and young people with learning disabilities. As ever, this holiday is not only an opportunity to give back but a huge team effort to make the week another great success for the SuperTroop holidaymakers and their families. From our amazing student and staff volunteers who rose to the challenge of one-to-one, 24-hour personal care, to the operational staff who prepared fantastic accommodation and meals, everyone played their part in delivering a magical experience.

This year we had sixteen young people joining us on the holiday. Our nineteen Sixth Form and thirteen Old Fettesian volunteers made sure that all our visitors settled into the holiday from the moment they arrived. The Highlands theme added a particularly Scottish flavour to activities throughout the week. Tartan weaving, cup-cake and shortbread decorating, and ceilidh dancing were added to the holiday favourites of trampolining and swimming. Thursday 9th July was an exhilarating day with visits to The Yard and the National Museum of Scotland followed by an evening listening to bagpipes, performing in a fashion show and hearing an excellent performance of a new SuperTroop-themed song written by our helpers.

Toby L, one of our Sixth Form volunteers, said: “My time with SuperTroop, though only my first year as a helper, was incredibly special. In my eyes, SuperTroop makes the experience of each kid’s holiday individual to what they enjoy and require – whether this be food or activities, but especially for their additional needs – and all from the perspective of fun, safety, and respect.”

Sue Fletcher-Watson, Founder, SuperTroop, said: "SuperTroop has had another storming year thanks to our extraordinary holidaymakers, invaluable support from Fettes and the blessing of lots of sunshine. The ripple effects from this week of adventure will last all year - rested families, disabled young people with happy memories and expanded independence, and volunteers with new skills and lifelong friendships."

Toby added: “What really struck me was at the end of the week when the holidaymakers got picked up by their parents. Seeing how much of an impact the week had for the parents of the holidaymakers showed me the true meaning of ‘respite’.”

SuperTroop remains a charity that is a very special part of Fettes life; it is a privilege to share the first week of the school holidays with our friends from SuperTroop. We are already looking forward to doing it all again in 2027!