PUPILS helped raise £1,400 for Children in Need with a raffle and non uniform day. 

Pupils at St Mary’s Kindergarten, Lower School, and Senior School in Colchester united on Friday for the 2024 fundraiser. 

At the lower school in London Road, a spotty non-uniform day and the annual Pudsey Bear raffle took centre stage.

The raffle featured highly sought-after handmade Pudsey Bears, adding excitement to the day’s activities.  

Meanwhile, at the senior school in Lexden Road, the theme ‘Make Life Lighter for Children’ inspired a creative non-uniform day.

Pupils carried school supplies in imaginative alternatives to bags, such as toy cars, PC towers, traffic cones, and even a fish tank. A bake sale and fun competitions further boosted the fundraising efforts.  

Nicola Griffiths, principal of St Mary’s, said: “Pupils at St Mary’s are keen to be involved in their communities and to give their support to charities.

"Children in Need is just one of many events our school participates in, raising several thousand pounds annually.”  

St Mary’s commitment to charitable work is led by pupils, including the Charities Committee, House Officials, and Scholars. For more information about the school, visit www.stmaryscolchester.org.uk.