SCHOOLCHILDREN who swapped their uniform for superhero, Frozen and Minions outfits, as well as pyjamas and ‘onesies’, have raised £2,500 for two charities close to their hearts.

Youngsters at Dunbar Primary School’s two campuses left their uniform behind for the day on September 30.

Instead, they were allowed to wear whatever they wanted as long as they made a £1 donation to charity, with the money raised split between Scottish childhood cancer charity Love Oliver and Brainwave.

The special fundraiser was the idea of Angela Balharrie and Michelle Scott, whose daughters Eilish Balharrie and Tilly Scott attend the school.

Michelle was delighted with the event’s success and told the Courier how the money raised would make a big difference to Brainwave.

The mum-of-two felt a number of children who attend Dunbar Primary School would benefit from knowing about the charity.

She added: “It was much more successful than we expected.

“We were just really amazed and really happy with how amazing the community were, from the cakes to the raffle prizes and to the money donated – it was just really good.”

Tilly, who is in P2 at the school, was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation of the Med13L gene.

Few, if any, are diagnosed with the same condition across Britain and Michelle felt Brainwave, which works with children with a wide range of conditions and developmental needs, from cerebral palsy and autism to genetic conditions and developmental delay, had been invaluable in its support for the family.

Seven-year-old Tilly was born with various issues, including congenital heart defects, global development delay, non-verbal and sensory processing disorder.

Michelle has also set up her own blog (adifferent journeyblog.wordpress.com) to highlight her experiences.

A number of businesses in the town helped out by donating raffle prizes, with the grand draw made on Friday, October 7.

Meanwhile, Angela had organised the event last year, with more than £1,000 being split between the Teenage Cancer Trust, Children with Cancer Leukaemia Advice and Support for Parents (CCLASP) and Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG).

Angela, who lives just outside Dunbar, was delighted to see the event’s success continuing to grow.

She said: “It went really, really well. We had a great day and it has all gone brilliantly.”

“We’ve made £2,500 altogether and we are just delighted.”

P4 pupil Eilish was diagnosed with leukaemia three years ago, when she was just five years old.

The youngster was taken to a doctor before then going on to hospital and being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, beginning chemotherapy.

Her chemotherapy treatment finished earlier this year, although the eight-year-old will still have to undergo regular check-ups at the hospital.

Already, she is planning for next year with hopes of other schools in the area also getting involved to see the fundraising boosted further.