By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 17:50, Thursday, 05 April 2012

After a year of charitable projects, Hayton Primary School’s Rotakids committee has appointed new members to continue their good work.

The youngsters have spent the past 12 months planning and organising their own events, including raising £200 for disabled Carlisle girl Olivia Story and sending 200 pairs of glasses to developing countries through Vision Aid.

But at the end of next term, current committee members will be moving on to their chosen secondary schools.

The Rotakids scheme was set up in conjunction with the Brampton and Longtown Rotary Club.

The children, who are aged 10 and 11, advertised on the school notice board for new committee members.

Interested youngsters from the lower year filled out application forms and took part in an interview process.

The outgoing committee selected who they felt would be best for each role.

Just before the Easter break, the committee was appointed at a ceremony attended by rotary club president Chris Weir.

Each took a pledge – promising to be fair to all, to serve their community and show respect to others – and outgoing committee members offered their support and advice.

Sophie Thompson said: “We hope you have as good an experience as we have had.

“We have had an amazing learning opportunity and we hope you do too. We will be here to help until we leave, to guide you along the right lines. We wish you the best of luck.”

Peter Sedgwick, from the local rotary club, has been mentoring the children but said everything they have achieved has been down to their own hard work and decisions.

The new committee was given a £50 float to get them started. The first task is to decide which charities they want to support and start planning their events.

Retiring committee: Charlotte Henderson, 11; Noah Scott, 11, Abigail Thompson, 11; Alex Scott, 11; Lilli Noble, 10; Hollie Coopey 11; Sophie Thompson, 10 and Tom Hawkswell, 11.

New committee: George Dixon, 10; Will Hawkswell, nine; Holly Lowes, nine; Monika Davies, 10; Chloe Parsons, nine; Katie Billington 10; and Dean Batey, 10.

First published at 14:21, Thursday, 05 April 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk