Kids from deprived parts of the city have never experienced a zoo or safari park and can't afford leavers hoodies, a teacher has said.
Elmvale Primary School pupils in Springburn are among those who have missed out due to the expense of trips and the financial burden facing families in the area.
The school has been unable to ask the kids or their guardians to contribute to rites of passage including end-of-year trips and memorabilia as many are facing financial hardship and already rely on uniform banks.
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Recent data has shown that in Glasgow 24.6% of children are living in relative poverty compared to the national average of 15.1%.
Lisa Palmer, who is one of two P7 teachers at Elmvale said the majority of their pupils live in disadvantaged areas, and the school was unable to ask them or their families to pay out for trips.
Thanks to a donation of £1,500 from the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, P7 will be given able to enjoy a leavers trip.
Ms Palmer said: “The children and staff of Elmvale are over the moon with the grant they have received and are so excited to receive their leavers hoodies and start planning their leavers trip.
“The money has made a massive difference to our pupils, and we are so grateful.”
Lisa said many pupils relied on the uniform bank for schoolwear and the hoodies would mean a lot to them, as would an excursion to mark the end of their primary school journey.
“The vast majority of our pupils have not experienced the zoo or safari park so we usually aim to take them somewhere that will be an unforgettable experience.
“We also hold a leavers party at the end of the year, and we would love to make this an amazing memory for our learners.
“This might include food, decorations, party experiences and maybe clothes for children who cannot afford a new outfit.”
A donation was also made to Highpark Primary in Ruchill that will fund the P6 pupils' first weekend away to Millport.
Tanya Mcdonald, from the school’s parent council, said: "The donation will take the cost rate down for the parents.
“It may be the first trip away from mum and dad for a lot of children, so it is an anxious time for them, and we want to ensure they enjoy it and parents aren't worried about costs.
“We have donated already from our parent council funds, but with the cost of living rise we are struggling to raise as much as we would like.
“The more we can donate to the school towards this trip the less a parent has to pay out towards it. We desperately don't want any child missing out due to costs.”
Allied Vehicles owner Gerry Facenna said poverty was the most serious challenge facing families around Possilpark, where his company was established and is still based.
“Poverty is a blight on our society and that’s been highlighted since we set up the Charitable Trust last year.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to help give these young pupils at Elmvale and Highpark something good to remember from their final years at primary school.”
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