Assisted by their teachers, Mrs Richardson and Mrs Goudy, the children came up with the idea of holding a Stay-at-Home Pyjama Party, with families asked to exercise in their PJs to raise funds for the Ulster Hospital Covid Ward 3A.

Throughout the day videos of the children and their families exercising at home and in their gardens were posted on the school website and Facebook page. The whole school community got involved: bouncing on trampolines, performing gymnastics, hoolah hooping, roller blading, practising football skills, jogging, dog exercising, dancing, cycling along country lanes; all great fun and for a good cause. Even school principal, Mr Roy Greer, got in on the action, and, accompanied by four friends, cycled the Comber Greenway dressed in a giraffe onesie.

When the clock finally chimed midnight, with a few aching limbs in evidence, our Year 7s had raised the magnificent total of £2,200. An unbelievable and selfless effort by this amazing bunch of children, of whom we are all so very proud.

Over the summer term our Year 7s lost out on so much: school show, school residential, sports day, house matches, tournaments, leavers’ assembly, end of year awards etc. However, in this fundraising event, they proved just how much they had gained in character and personal values during lockdown.

With such an amazing total banked, the children decided that some of the money should be spent on PJs with the rest being used to purchase lifesaving equipment for the Covid Ward 3A.

We are extremely grateful to Marks & Spencer’s (Abbey Centre) for a significant discount on the price of the PJs, which allowed us to present a cheque for £1,871 to Dr Julia Courtney and Ward Sister, Gillian McIlgorm.