PUPILS at Dunfermline High School are celebrating being awarded £10,000 to turn the school’s eco dreams into a reality.

Dunfermline High School’s ‘Big Green Dream’ is to create a “green energy gym” which will ‘upcycle’ their existing exercise equipment including rowing machines, treadmills and exercise bikes to allow pupils to keep fit while generating green electricity which can be used to supply power to the school.

The funding was awarded by the ScottishPower Green Energy Trust, an independent charity which helps community renewable energy projects get off the ground.

Pupils competed against schools across the UK to win the prize by sharing their Big Green Dream.

Physics teacher Tim Reid said winning the contest was great news for the whole school as well as for the pupils who took part. “This project will be a win-win-win situation for our school,” he said.

“Healthy bodies mean healthy minds ready to learn in class, and pupils can feel proud that they are making their own contribution to reducing our dependence on non-renewable energy sources.”

S2 pupil Anna McCracken said the Big Green Dream competition has great fun to take part in. She added: “I can’t believe we actually won and everyone is looking forward to start running, rowing and riding!”

Alison McKean, social and environmental policy manager at ScottishPower and a trustee of the ScottishPower Green Energy Trust, said: “It is always a pleasure to see inspired pupils motivated to find ways to make their school more environmentally-friendly and reduce their own carbon footprints.

“Judges commended Dunfermline High School for the level of thought that had gone into the proposal, which exuded enthusiasm and purpose. The combination of energy, sustainability and fitness created a strong entry. We can’t wait to see what the pupils achieve with the funding.”