CHILDREN have been showing their artistic talent by taking part in a filmmaking initiative to promote the idea of respect in the community.

The pupils from St Bede’s School, Marske, have been working in partnership with Teesside University for the last two months to come up with the film, which will be used in the future as a teacher training tool to demonstrate the difference between right and wrong.

And Kerrianne Covell, local X Factor contestant, Professor Graham Henderson, CBE and Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, and Middlesbrough footballer George Friend, joined staff and pupils to launch the RESPECT project.

The film has been developed to give children the courage to stand up for what is right, challenge what is wrong and respect and support one another.

Headteacher Anna Coulson said: “This launch event epitomises our desire to move forward as a socially conscious school community. We cannot overstate the importance of this value as our children grow and develop into respected, responsible members of society.”

At the launch event, at Gisborough Hall, the film was presented in front of 200 friends and family of the school as well as local businesses who have sponsored the evening.

The film was followed by a song and dance performance to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy", with the lyrics re-written to feature RESPECT. As the video closed, the children performed the song and a specially choreographed RESPECT dance routine.

As well as the launch of the film the evening also considered different aspects of respect in the community with speakers including Professor Graham Henderson, CBE and Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, George Friend, Middlesbrough Football Club player, Stuart Myers, a local parent born with a disability who will share his experiences of gaining respect from others and Kathryn Salveson, CBE, from The Jumbulance Trust.

The initiative is supporting the Jumbulance Trust, which enables disabled and critically ill people to go on holiday. They provide specialist vehicles - a combination of luxury coach/ambulance, which offer facilities that make travel possible for those who need extra care and specialist medical equipment.

Money raised through ticket sales and sponsors went to the Jumbulance Trust.