PUPILS and staff at Ilsington C of E Primary School took inspiration from David Walliams’ novel The Boy in the Dress for their fundraising football game in aid of the charity ShelterBox.

The school’s football team took to the pitch in frocks, dresses and skirts, and spectators were charged £1 if wearing a dress or £2 if they preferred not to! The children also staged a raffle, cake sale, a welly-wanging competition and guess the sweets in the jar, with the resulting £220 going to ShelterBox.

This is the second time the school has held this fundraising event, having raised £200 in 2015, as it links to their studies on natural disasters and the charity’s response to them.

Chris and Annie Harper, who work as volunteers for the charity, also brought along the well-known green Shelterbox with its contents to support the children in their efforts.

Class teacher Philippa Young said: ‘This has become a popular event in the school’s calendar and it’s great to see the children working together with such enthusiasm to raise money for this worthwhile cause.’