A PRIMARY school pupil battling a debilitating condition rallied fellow pupils and staff to raise money for charity.

ME sufferer Evie Dore, 11, wrote to the headmaster of her school and asked if she could hold a ‘pyjama day’ to raise money for the ME North East charity, which helps sufferers across the region.

Chris Metcalfe, head teacher at Cockerton Church of England Primary School, agreed and last week saw staff and pupils show up to school in their pyjamas, raising £123.45 as a result.

Various activities were carried out to raise awareness of the condition, including teachers taking up hula hooping to demonstrate the difference between those who find it easy to be active and those who, because of conditions like ME, struggle to take part in some activities.

Evie’s mother, Rachel Dore, said the school’s support had been absolutely fantastic. She said: “They have been fabulous. I cannot praise them enough, I even wrote to Ofsted to tell them how pleased I’ve been with how they have treated Evie.”

She added: “The day was Evie’s idea. She wanted to contribute something. She is a very caring girl and wants to give something back. We are very proud of her.”

Sarah McTimoney, the school’s chaplain, said: “The kids all had great fun and it was a really good day.”

To raise more money for ME North East, Mrs Dore will take part in a zip-wire challenge from Newcastle’s Tyne Bridge on Sunday May 12. To sponsor her, visit justgiving.com/Rachel-dore1.