THE Inuit visitors to the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area were delighted to meet Provost Jim Leishman at a special event held at Lochore Meadows Country Park.

A civic reception organised by chair of Cowdenbeath Area Committee, Councillor Linda Erskine, was held at the Meedies, where Provost, Jim Leishman, Polar Academy ambassadors, project sponsors and families, welcomed the Inuit girls from Tasiilaq, in Eastern Greenland, to Scotland.

The girls were also accompanied by Greenland Polar expedition co-ordinator, Axle, his wife Marta and daughter Inge-Dorothea.

This youth cultural exchange project between the two groups of young women, from Greenland and Fife, is aimed at giving the girls an authentic insight into a new country and culture.

As such, a week's activities in both countries have been designed around shared learning and education, arts, crafts, heritage and music and historical and countryside recreation.

At the end of July, the Lochgelly High School Polar Girls, Lauren, Hannah, Carla and Abby, will travel to Greenland for visiting local schools, giving talks and learning the true Inuit culture and challenges facing Inuit girls of the same age.

The LHS girls have been delighted with the support their venture has received from the public as they have raised a considerable sum of money to make the visit here and to Greenland take place.

Polar Academy Explorer, Craig Matheson, who took the Lochgelly High party to the Arctic Circle in April 2018, said: “ This is the first youth exchange between Greenland and Scotland which we hope will be adopted Scotland-wide, building closer links with Greenland communities”.

Cllr Erskine thanked everyone for their support and said: “The girls and their families have done an amazing job to deliver this project and we thank all sponsors who offered their support to deliver what is an exciting and ground breaking idea”.

One of the key sponsors, retired local businessman Kevin and Annie Sharp, also took this opportunity to present the Polar girls with a cheque for a four figure sum towards the project, which takes funds raised so far to over £10,500.

The target is £15,000 and any donation would be gratefully received, if you would like to offer a donation please contact amreid73reid@btinternet.com