Clydebank High pupils braved recent dreary weather to walk to Levengrove Park in Dumbarton to raise money for the Skylark IX Recovery Trust.

Twenty-two fourth years took part in the event for the charity which is behind fundraising for the restoration of the Dunkirk little ship.

The teens and their teacher made their way to the park to meet 44 schoolchildren from Christie Park Primary who had walked with staff and parent helpers from their school in Alexandria.

The pupils enjoyed lunch together before setting off along the cycle path to complete their walk at Christie Park Primary, where refreshments were served to the Clydebank walkers at the end of their ten-mile trek.

Read more: West College Scotland scoops top prize for its Skills Academy

In total £100 was raised for the vessel.

The event was organised by Paul Hamilton, who is a history teacher at Clydebank High, and Christie Park head teacher and principal teacher Laura Penny and Elizabeth Campbell.

All three have joined the charity’s board of trustees.

Paul Hamilton said: “The walk was a real success with pupils completing the ten-mile route with smiles on their faces and not a single complaint, despite the pouring rain.

“As a trustee for Sklylark IX, it was a pleasure to involve pupils in what is a significant project”.

While Laura added: “This was a great opportunity to create links with another school in our authority and to be involved in such an amazing and worthwhile project. The children were really enthusiastic and up for the challenge. I congratulate them all on their achievement.”

Built as a passenger cruiser for 75 people in 1927, Skylark IX was called to the aid of the stranded Allied troops in Dunkirk in 1940 as part of Operation Dynamo.

During the nine fateful days of this mission, Skylark IX saved the lives of over 600 cold and tired soldiers from the beaches of the French town.

Skylark IX is continuing to change lives today with her restoration work being undertaken by a specialist boatbuilding team working with recovering drug addicts as part of a skills development programme, run by West Dunbartonshire charity Alternatives.

It follows a £404,000 grant from the National Lottery, which was awarded in December and will allow the little ship to become a floating museum which will sail on the Clyde from Bowling to Dumbarton Castle, with community volunteers telling the fascinating story of her role in the War.

Read more: Drumchapel High girls crowned winners of Glasgow City of Dance finals

Mary Burch, secretary of the trust, told the Post: “Restoring this Dunkirk little ship has been our passion for the last few years and is a wonderful achievement for everyone involved, but a significant part of the Skylark project has always been about sharing the history of Dunkirk and educating young people, so that her story and the story of our veterans and the miracle of Dunkirk is never forgotten.

“We are delighted therefore to now include three teachers on our board of trustees and to see the enthusiasm of so many young people taking part (particularly on the anniversary of Operation Dynamo) has given us such a boost.

“This is just the start of involving our young people and local schools and over the next two years while Skylark is being restored, we will see more projects involving the young in our community.

“Our thanks go out to every pupil who took part and on the 79th anniversary of Dunkirk, we are in no doubt that these young voices will ensure that we never forget.”