A GROUP of Borders school pupils scaled a Highland peak this month to raise money to improve their playground.

Nine children from Kingsland Primary and their parents, climbed Schiehallion on June 7 to help cover the costs of a new seating area.

"We're so proud of them [the children]," said Danni Dodds, 34.

Danni, who is mum to Jack (P5) and Frankie (P3) Dodds, helped to organise the trip to the Highlands.

She added: "Normally we'd have the Christmas and summer fayre to raise funds but we've not had that this year.

"The boys [Jack and Frankie] wanted to climb a Munro so I thought why not get a group together and it just grew arms and legs."

The group of nine pupils who took part in the event earlier this month included: Jack Dodds (P5); Frankie Dodds (P3); Elsie Edge (P6); Emily Edge (P3); Charlie Lindsay (P3); Danny Nicol (P3); Oliver Clyde (P3); Fearne Deans (P3) and Annie Moore (P3).

Video: Kingsland pupils and their parents climbed the Highland Munro earlier this month

Before tackling the 1,083-metre-high peak, the pupils and their parents camped overnight on June 6, and then began their hike on the Saturday.

"They [children] didn't need much encouragement," said Christine Moore, whose daughter Annie took part in the challenge. "The kids were really keen."

When asked what it was like when the group of nine pupils and their parents reached Schiehallion's summit, Danni said: "It was really emotional.

"We're so proud of them.

"Most of them are seven, and at seven years old to climb a Munro is such an achievement in itself."

The group had set their fundraising target at £500 to cover the costs of adding trees and benches to their playground, although Christine told this newspaper that some pupils had requested a water slide.

But, as this newspaper went to press, the group had raised more than four times as much.

The amount they have raised so far is currently £2,194.

To support the pupil's fundraising efforts, donations can be made at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kingslandprimaryschiehallion