FORMER Holyrood Academy pupils have come together to invest in the future of existing students.

Evolution Contractors, BA Chant Plumbing Services, HM Carpentry and ECO Electrix are all successful local firms run by ex-students and who now employ apprentices from the academy.

Each firm has made a donation of £200 which has been used to supply kit bags to students in the Holyrood Rugby Academy.

The bags form part of the kit package issued to all Rugby Academy members upon enrolment.

Simon Lunn, of Phoenix Fitness, also works in partnership with Rugby Academy head Simon Jenkins to provide free gym membership to students, and offers group and individual training programmes.

Simon Lunn said: “I’m really happy to be able to help provide the lads with opportunities to train, and build strength and stamina.

“We have top specification equipment and an extensive free weights room that provides an excellent training environment.”

Simon Jenkins said: “We’re very grateful to Simon Lunn for allowing us to use his excellent facilities. The experience of training in such a professional environment will have significant benefits for Rugby Academy members.

“To be able to link with such a high profile and successful local business is another step towards our goal of establishing Holyrood Academy as one of the very best places for students to achieve academic and sporting excellence.

“To see former students who are now running their own businesses support the academy with this exciting new initiative is fantastic.”

Phoenix Fitness has also been putting sporty students from the school to the test recently.

Sports teacher Johanna Tatterton took her BTEC Level 3 Sport students to the centre, where they met Mr Lunn.

Students talked in detail about health screening and enjoyed a Q&A session about fitness.

Mrs Tatterton said: “It was a very worthwhile and informative visit, allowing students the tangible opportunity to apply their skills.”

Daniel Evans, of Evolution Contractors, said: “While at Holyrood we went to college one day a week where we were taught the basics of the building trade.

“From there we obtained apprenticeships.

“It was hard work, but ultimately very rewarding, and after gaining experience in our own trades over a period of years we each set up our own business.

“It’s great to see opportunities for sport at Holyrood Academy being developed through working with community clubs and businesses.”