PUPILS donned their finest headwear to raise money in memory of their friend’s dad.
Children at Hook-with-Warsash CofE Academy wore hats to raise money for the Brain Tumour Research charity.
The day took place because of the death of Ross Pearman, last February aged 35, from the disease. His son, Phoenix, six, is a pupil at the Warsash school.
Youngsters chipped in 50p each to wear a hat, and Phoenix proudly wore a beanie which had a picture of his dad on the front.
Brain tumour awareness day is on March 28, but the school chose Friday to mark it in tribute to Ross.
Headteacher Christopher Hines said: ‘We did this last year, but one of the class teachers approached the family and asked if they would like us to do something.
‘Phoenix came up and lit a candle for his father in an assembly last week and told everyone why he was doing it.
‘He told them that we would be doing the wear a hat day again to help people like his daddy.
‘A lot of the pupils remembered last year and were keen to do it.
‘He’s coped very well with it all and talks about it a lot.
‘He’s a very brave little boy.’
Ross’ widow Amanda Pearman, of Verne Close in Whiteley said: ‘The anniversary is on the 19th, which will be during half-term, which is why the school wanted to do it now.
‘It’s fantastic that the school wanted to do this. It’s lovely because it helps Phoenix remember as well and it makes him feel now like he’s helping others by raising awareness and raising money.
‘The raising awareness side of it is very important for us.
‘I’m very proud of him, he’s such an amazing kid.’
The final total from the day is being tallied up, but it raised around £200.
And at the Growing Places nursery at Oak Meadow in Fareham, attended by Ross and Amanda’s two-year-old son Xavier, the youngsters baked cakes, which were bought by the parents, and wore brightly coloured clothes in a Red for Ross day.
They raised a further £30 for the charity.
If anyone wants to support the charity, Amanda still has a fundraising page open from a charity walk organised by the nursery last year at justgiving.com/AmandaPearman
Comments