CLASSROOMS have been swapped for the great outdoors as kind-hearted youngsters have raised more than £1,600 for charity.

The Great Compass Camp-Out For Carers saw children, parents and staff at The Compass School come together for NHS Charities Together.

Primary five pupils Rory Hannay and Harris Moodie-Cook came up with the idea to support NHS workers.

The boys asked everyone to pitch a tent in their gardens, or to make a den inside if they did not have a tent, and spend the night camping out, as well as making a small optional donation in support of NHS Charities Together.

The boys said: “If we all camp out at the same time it means that, even though we can’t see each other in person at the moment, we can at least all come together in spirit for a night and do something fun for a great cause!”

The boys were delighted with the response to their idea and were astonished by the support they received.

Online donations reached £1,340, with Gift Aid taking the total to more than £1,600.

During the lockdown, youngsters at the Haddington school have been working hard to support various good causes.

Already, Compass families and staff have collected more than £5,000, with the money being split between CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland), Leuchie House and NHS charities.

Mark Becher, headteacher at the school on the town’s West Road, said: “We have been astonished by the continuing generosity and enthusiasm of The Compass School community, its families and friends.

“Rory and Harris came up with a really imaginative and fun way for us all to do something together, even though we physically cannot be with each other just now.

“At this time of year, Compass children are very often out of school on residential camps.

“Sadly, the current crisis has put paid to those adventures, but that has not stopped our children enjoying an exciting outdoor experience ‘together’.

“At the same time, we have been delighted to be able to raise such a significant amount for the charities supporting our NHS workers.”

Donations can be made via justgiving.com/fundraising/compasscampoutforcarers