Day of colour as schools show support for Wig Wednesday in South Tyneside

Two schools in South Tyneside were filled with colour today as pupils and staff got their wigs on in aid of charity.
Wig Wednesday was supported by all at Bamurgh School.Wig Wednesday was supported by all at Bamurgh School.
Wig Wednesday was supported by all at Bamurgh School.

The annual Wig Wednesday event, raising money for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent, was celebrated at Westoe Crown Primary School, in Sea Winnings Way, and Bamburgh School, in Norham Avenue South, both South Shields.

All those attending the schools were encouraged to wear colourful wigs or style their hair in wacky ways as part of the day.

Sila Turk, 9, enjoys Wig Wednesday at Bamburgh School.Sila Turk, 9, enjoys Wig Wednesday at Bamburgh School.
Sila Turk, 9, enjoys Wig Wednesday at Bamburgh School.
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At Westoe Crown, over £700 were raised as children and parents got fully behind the event.

It was particularly poignant there, as pupil Harrison Cochrane, 7, was helped by the charity while being treated for Hodgkin Lymphoma, which he was diagnosed with in December 2014.

He has since spent nine months in remission, and he joined in the Wig Wednesday celebrations with school-mates as the classrooms were “filled with smiles”.

Carolyn Trotter, Westoe Crown’s fundraising co-ordinator and teaching assistant, said: “The day went brilliantly, with all of the children and staff wearing wigs or fancy hairstyles.

Charlie Adamson, 4, enjoys Wig Wednesday at Bamburgh School.Charlie Adamson, 4, enjoys Wig Wednesday at Bamburgh School.
Charlie Adamson, 4, enjoys Wig Wednesday at Bamburgh School.
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“We’re delighted with the amount of money which was raised, and have to say a big thank you to the parents, who showed us great support with this.

“Harrison really enjoyed the day, as did everyone at the school. You could feel the atmosphere. It was brilliant, and the place was filled with smiles.

“A lot of the families supported us so well, knowing that the charity has a link with one of the children in the school.”

At Bamburgh School, meanwhile, there was a similarly happy and successful day, with all pupils bringing in a £1 donation for the cause.

At Bamburgh School, there was a charity hair cut in aid of CLIC Sargent. From left, Maddie Gray, 5, with sister Holly Gray, 8, and hairdresser Katherine Daily.At Bamburgh School, there was a charity hair cut in aid of CLIC Sargent. From left, Maddie Gray, 5, with sister Holly Gray, 8, and hairdresser Katherine Daily.
At Bamburgh School, there was a charity hair cut in aid of CLIC Sargent. From left, Maddie Gray, 5, with sister Holly Gray, 8, and hairdresser Katherine Daily.
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Susan Burgess, primary leader at the school, said: “This is the second year in a row we have done work for Wig Wednesday and CLIC Sargent, and the whole school was involved again.

“Everyone was wearing a wig or crazy hair, including all of the staff.

“The children all loved it and a lot of effort went into it.

“Julie, who is a student who helps with one of our classes, brought in her two daughters, Holly, aged eight, and Maddie, aged five, who had their hair cut in our assembly to support the event.

“They just wanted to help our fundraising, and that sums up how much everyone came together to support this.”