Mrs Smyth's P2 Class with c at Harmony Hill Primary School's charity fundraiser. US19-732SP

HARMONY Hill Primary School recently held a charity event to raise money for a fund set up by a member of staff.

When Learning Support teacher Mrs Jennifer Cairnduff spoke of how her family had set up a fund for the purchase of a ventilator for the Liver Intensive Therapy Unit of King's College Hospital in London, the school decided to help her out by holding a crazy hair day.

Pupils and staff were invited to wear their hair in mad styles and pay for the privilege. A total of �1,007 was raised and will go towards the �25,000 needed to buy a ventilator.

Hazel Sleeth from the school said that the interest in this fund raising venture grew out of the experiences of Philip Cairnduff, the 19-year-old son of Mrs Cairnduff.

She said: "When Philip returned from a building project in Botswana, in August 2004, he was very weak and sick.

A week later - after he had been transferred from the Royal Hospital to King's College - his liver failed completely.

"He would have died had there not been a compatible organ available for immediate transplant."

After surgery, Philip was in hospital for almost a month before being strong enough to return home. He missed what would have been his final year at school while recovering slowly at home.. Philip who intends to go to University next year, thanked all the children and staff at the school for their support, when he attended the crazy hair day.

Philip Cairnduff who inspired Harmony Hill Primary School to hold the charity event. The proceeds went towards a ventilator for the Liver Intensive Therapy Unit of King's College Hospital in London. US19-733SP