A SCHOOL raised hundreds of pounds for charity in memory of a girl who tragically died of a brain tumour.

Wickford Church of England School in Mount Road paid tributes to its former pupil, Olivia Gregory who sadly died of a terminal brain tumour called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) in June this year.

She was just five-years-old at the time of her death.

The school's year one pupils raised £140 for the charity Abbie's Army, a foundation named after a young girl who died of the same disease.

The students were invited to come into school in pyjamas and ate breakfast together.

Louise Johnson, headteacher of the school said Olivia was a "very special, loved little girl and her memory will live on."

Mrs Johnson said: "We have many things planned this year and hope you will be behind us in raising the profile of Abbie's Army and the need for medical research and funds to support the work into finding a cure.

"My school is very small and to raise £2000 would be an amazing target, however we are going for it!"

Olivia's mother, Clare, 44 was very thankful for school's event which she hopes will continue to remind Olivia's classmates of her.

She said: "I feel the event was a very fitting tribute, it is good for her class mates to be able to still remember her through this.

"The charity is also the UK's leading charity for DIPG research and they have been helpful to use and other families after losing our daughter.

"The school did not have to put on this event, but it is brilliant they took the time to do this.

"The children had left hearts in memory of Olivia and it was so lovely hearing them speak about the losses they have experienced in their lives.

"I feel these kinds of events can help educate them well so long as it is no inappropriately handled.

"Children do understand that people do not live forever in the same way adults do, so it's good the school has helped them get this education."