TWO Helensburgh primary schools and Clarendon, the junior school of Lomond School, have just completed a project which will help victims of disasters anywhere in the world. Pupils have each filled an Aquabox for Helensburgh Rotary Club, which has been taking part in this Rotary International project - launched in 1992 - for several years.

The boxes, so called because they can be used as containers for drinking water after they have been emptied of aid items, were collected last week by the club's 2011-12 president Alastair Wilson who demitted office on June 30.

The object of the project is to provide in the wake of both man-made and natural disasters a rapid response provision of safe drinking water and welfare aid items.

The box is an easily transported and simple to operate method of restoring safe drinking water, thus helping to minimise the outbreak of disease.

Douglas Dow, convener of the club's international committee, said: "I am most impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of these young pupils in supporting this very worthwhile venture.

"I would also like to express the club's thanks to the staff and parents of the three schools for their assistance in sourcing the aid items to fill the boxes."

At Clarendon the box was collected from head teacher Mrs Stephanie Hart and two J3 pupils, pupil council member Charlotte Ingle and eco committee member Peter Swigciski.

At John Logie Baird head teacher Mrs Carolyn Randall and colleague Mrs Gillian Paton were joined by pupil council members Jake Andrews, Catriona McBean, Aaron Bell, Olivia Blenkinsop, Taylor Cameron, Carla Gorman, Ryan Ledgerwood, Conor McKenzie, Cameron Meredith, Olivia Newbury, Connor Taylor and Ben Thomson.

Miss Michelle Collins, in only her second week as head teacher of St Joseph's, presented their Aquabox with pupils Joshua Bonner, Laura Cairns, Erin McCaskell, Ellen McMahon, Jay Monteith, Lucy Munro and Tara Murphy.

Photos by Donald Fullarton.