PUPILS from Bitterne Park School dressed up in a flock of red outfits, after a token of inspiration by a staff member living with lung cancer.

The Wear It Red day was arranged by the school’s design technician Wendy Lawrence.

She was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer three years ago of a similar form to Ruth Strauss - who died of a form of lung cancer that attacks non-smokers.

As a result, the school raised over £2,014 for The Ruth Strauss Foundation.

The charity was launched by former English cricketer Andrew Strauss to support patients and families of people with lung cancer.

It came after Ruth was given one year to live and died on December 29 last year.

Mother-of-two Wendy came up with the idea for students to run charity sales and bring in £1 each on the day, which involved making and selling charity wristbands and keyrings created on a laser cutter at the school, as well as cakes.

Wendy, whose husband Nik also works at Bitterne Park School, said: “We do lots of non-uniform days raising money for charities throughout the school year. I thought that I wanted to do something personal to me.

"When I saw the national coverage of the Ruth Strauss Foundation raise half a million pounds for people with lung cancer, and choose red for a theme, I thought what a fantastic idea for the school.

She added: “I didn’t want to be anonymous. I wanted everyone to know that it is me with lung cancer, to show that as someone who is living with cancer, it is not as bad as everyone thinks it can be.

"I don’t look ill and I’m still able to work while taking my medication. And we raised more on the day than any other non-uniform day we have held before.”

To find out more, visit www.ruthstraussfoundation.com.