A CHARITY which received a £3,000 cash boost thanks to three hard-working Knox Academy pupils is set to benefit again.

S5 pupils Emilis Vaicaitis, Euan Farquhar and Sam Palmer secured the funding boost for Love-Oliver at the end of last year.

The teenagers impressed a panel of judges through the secondary school’s Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

Now the trio are being joined by fellow pupils Ryan Pirie, Anya Boardman, Freya Maycock, Alice Kirkland, Lucy Darling, Matthew Davison, Helen Stoddart, Ava Middlemiss, Fergus Allan and Rory Burns in taking on the 10k race at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.

Robert Flood, curriculum leader – social subjects – and Lana Borwick, from the school’s physical education department, will be joining the youngsters on the start line in the Capital.

Mr Flood said: “LoveOliver is a charity based in Edinburgh set up by Andy and Jennifer Gill after their son, Oliver, died of a malignant rhabdoid tumour.

“Their vision is to strive for a country in which every family with a child diagnosed with cancer knows there is hope of a cure and that they will have appropriate financial and emotional support on their cancer journey.

“This charity has helped people across Scotland and even in Knox Academy itself. LoveOliver was the winner of Knox Academy’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) programme in 2023/2024 and has a personal connection to one of the team.

“We are hoping to raise as much money as possible to support this great charity.”

When the pupils won the money in November, Jennifer thanked the youngsters for their efforts.

She said: “We are so proud of Sam, Emilis and Euan for winning the amazing £3,000 YPI grant for LoveOliver.

“This is a fantastic amount of money for a small charity and we will ensure it is put to good use supporting families affected by childhood cancer.

“LoveOliver funds vital research into childhood cancer and provides a range of practical support to families affected by it, across Scotland.

“This includes providing healthy meals for parents during hospital stays, quality digital thermometers and financial support.”

Go to justgiving.com/page/sam-palmer-1714723435916 to donate.