They ran, they danced, they sold strawberries and second-hand treasures, and now they’ve won it all.
Keith Primary School has been crowned the winner of this year’s MFR Cash for Kids Schools Challenge, raising a remarkable £38,459 in just over two weeks.
That figure includes a well-earned £5,000 top prize for being the highest fundraising school in the competition.
The challenge saw six schools from across the region given a fortnight to raise as much money as they could.
When MFR arrived at Keith Primary on Monday with the surprise news, the joy was electric.
It wasn’t just the total that impressed, it was the effort, creativity and community spirit behind every penny.
From sponsored runs and bike rides to tuck shops and plant sales, every child, teacher and family found their own way to contribute.
Classrooms buzzed with activity, the school disco returned in glorious 90s style, the catering team served up a strawberry tea to locals, and even ran a good old-fashioned Beetle Drive.
Keith Primary’s vibrant parent group, the Frog Squad, leapt into action too.
They organised photo shoots, pet competitions, car boot sales and a frog-themed treasure hunt.
Their Father’s Day boxes were a local hit, and charity buckets popped up in shops and pubs across town.
It felt less like a fundraiser and more like a festival, a celebration of what a school community can achieve when everyone pulls together.
Headteacher Susan Buchan was still taking it all in when the result was announced.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have won, it’s still sinking in,” she said.
“The last two weeks have been full of laughter, energy and community spirit.
“Our pupils were bursting with ideas, the staff went above and beyond, and our parents and local supporters were just incredible.”
She said the £5,000 prize was the cherry on top and would go straight back into supporting learners and enhancing school life.
“This challenge brought us all closer together,” she added.
“And we’ve made memories that will last a long time.”
Councillor Kathleen Robertson, Chair of the Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, praised the school’s creativity and drive.
“This is a brilliant achievement for Keith Primary and a real example of what can happen when a school and its community come together,” she said.
Now, with their winnings in hand and hearts full, Keith Primary is looking to the future and doing it with the same joyful energy that got them here in the first place.
