TWO schoolboys from Stobo took to Peebles High Street recently to raise money for the Ukrainian people.

William MacPherson, along with younger brother John, played the bagpipes for two hours and raised £400.

The cash will go to the Disaster Emergency Committee to providing food, water, shelter and medical assistance.

Eleven-year-old John, who is in P7B at Kingsland Primary School, told the Peeblesshire News: “I thought the war was very bad with people fleeing their homes and their houses getting bombed and having to leave their pets behind.

"So my brother William and I decided to get our pipes out and raise some money to help the people of Ukraine.

"We just played the normal Peeblesshire repertoire including Scotland the Brave and the Barren Rocks of Aden.

“We managed to raise £400 in just two hours with one very generous person donating £20.

"We are sending the money to the DEC and hopefully it will make some people happy."

Twelve-year-old William, who is in S1 at Peebles High School, added: “I’d like to see the money spent on food, energy and shelter.

"Even if it helped buy a tent, it would provide some shelter.

"Right now people don’t have fresh food or water and have to rely on portable gas cookers to heat food."

It was an eventful weekend for the brothers because after playing their pipes they appeared in The Great Gatsby at the Eastgate Theatre that night.

Dad Bruce said: “I’m very proud of the boys for taking the initiative and raising so much money for this very worthwhile cause. Hopefully it will inspire others to help.”