Turning purple for charity

USUALLY, not wearing the correct school uniform gets pupils into trouble – but Whitgift School broke the rules and went purple for charity.

More than 300 students and staff at the Grimsby school took part in this year's Purple People Day by swapping one piece of clothing for something purple – and attempting to break a world record.

The event, which was also held locally last year, is in support of Jessie's Fund, a national charity which funds music therapy to support seriously-ill children.

The charity also helps disabled children through the creative and therapeutic use of music and is named after nine-year-old Jessica George, who died of a brain tumour in 1993.

Whitgift teamed up with scores of participating schools throughout the UK to try to beat the world record for the number of people all wearing purple at the same time.

It is believed the attempt was a success, but will soon be officially verified. And, in the process, a total of £300 was raised at Whitgift.

Pupil Chelsea Sellars, 13, said: "It's been a good thing to do. It was a fun day and great to be able to help charity."

Louise Wells, 12, added: "It was brilliant not to have to wear uniform and it was just something different to be able to take part in."

Assistant headteacher Clare Glaves said: "We certainly want to support charity.

"This is a great opportunity to have fun and help such a good cause at the same time."

Andy Carrington, who is also an assistant headteacher at the school, added: "The current world record for the most people wearing purple at any one time is 1,000, so we wanted to be part of the efforts to beat that!

"We set all the staff and students the challenge to take part and it's great to see so many pupils have all risen to the challenge."

Find out more

Visit www.jessiesfund.org.uk to find out more about the charity, Jessie's Fund.

For the latest education news, visit www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/education