SCHOOLS from across the district donned their best red clothes and laughed it up for Comic Relief this year.

Primary school pupils from all over Maldon took part in the famous fundraising event and raised hundreds of pounds in different ways.

Heybridge Primary spokesman Liz Leigh said: “The school is always proud to support this excellent charity.

“Our amazing children and staff have embraced ‘crazy hair’ day with their usual gusto and have been very generous with their donations.

“We have currently raised £141 for Comic Relief, however money is still being handed us.

“The children really enjoyed our different take on Red Nose Day and the fabulously funky and whacky hairstyles all looked amazing.

“We had lots of children in bright and colourful wigs, some with their hair full of rainbow colours and sparkles, some with mad and crazy styles and some even had cupcakes in their hair.

Purleigh Community Primary teacher Wendy Woods said: “The children at Purleigh Community Primary School enjoyed a fantastic day of fundraising for Comic Relief.

“They paid 50p for the privilege of wearing red and brought in cakes for the traditional Purleigh Cake Sale.

“A total of almost £200 was raised for the popular charity and the children also took part in a variety of class activities to raise awareness.”

Maldon Primary School’s Katie Flint said: “Pupils at our school dressed in red for Comic Relief.

“The whole school came together in their Friday celebration assembly and the headteacher, Mrs Burrell, commented on the brilliant effort every pupil had made.

“Each class held a competition and the reddest pupil won a prize.

“Later on in the morning, pupils had the opportunity to splat the staff.

“They thoroughly enjoyed throwing sponges at their favourite members of staff, including the headteacher.

“On Friday afternoon pupils came together in the hall to compete in the dance-a-thon.

“Each pupil taking part danced non-stop for an hour and raised sponsorship money for the event.

“We are incredibly proud of our pupils and the amazing amount of money they raised throughout the day.

“In total pupils and staff raised just over £1,260.”

Admin assistant Gaye Dodds, of St Nicholas’ Primary in Tillingham, said they raised £130 and children had their red noses painted on as part of a scheme to cut down on plastic waste.