PUPILS predominently from Focus-Trust’s Oldham-based academies took part in a fun-filled charity day that involved styling their most wacky and wonderful hairstyles to raise more than £2,300 for its charities - Shelter, Diabetes UK and Nepal Village Foundation.

The "Dare to Wear Crazy Hair’ day was one of the fundraising ideas decided upon by the Trust’s Pupil Parliament, a group of two Year 5 pupils from each of the Academy Trust’s 15 schools who represent the views of all pupils and meet termly to support the improvement of the schools.

Earlier in the year, the Pupil Parliament selected the three charities following a series of pitches where they were given the opportunity to ask inquisitive questions about the work that the charities are currently doing and, importantly, the pupils found out just what impact their fundraising efforts would make.

Following the day, the collective fundraising total reached £2344.49, which will be split between the three charities.

Donna Tandy, academy improvement partner at Focus-Trust, said: “We’re delighted with the success of our ‘Dare to Wear Crazy Hair’ day and it was brilliant to see the children and staff getting creative with their hair all for three brilliant causes.

“I’m extremely proud of all of our pupils and their families who show a real interest in charitable work and always support the initiatives that the Trust works hard to support.”

Focus Trust is a multi-academy trust based in Greater Manchester, comprising of 15 schools across West Yorkshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

The Greater Manchester-based pupils partaking in the day were from Coppice Primary Academy, Freehold Community Primary Academy, Lyndhurst Primary Academy, Roundthorn Primary Academy, all in Oldham, Deeplish Primary Academy in Rochdale, Manor Green Primary Academy in Denton, and Old Trafford Community Academy.

Ashlea McConnell

PR Director

MK Public Relations,

a Northern Communications Group company