Enterprising school pupil’s ‘reverse uniform’ day raises hundreds

As uniform rules have relaxed while many youngsters are working from home, pupils across the city have been enjoying wearing their home clothes to lessons.

In an email to his school, year four pupil JD McCloskey, a pupil at John Clare Primary, said he was missing attending and wearing his uniform and asked if a whole school uniform day could ‘cheer everyone up’.

Classmates and staff rallied behind the ‘reverse uniform da idea, and together raised a huge £1,153 for NHS charity Head to Toe which helps provide community support across Cambridgeshire.

The uniform day meant that some reception children were able to wear their summer dresses for the first time.

Proud mum, Michelle McCloskey was amazed at how much was generously donated.

She said: “We only expected to raise between £100-£200. JD asked for donations of £2, as it is just a small school of 120 pupils.

“Families were extremely generous. JD requires the care of the amazing paediatric team across a variety of services and it was our little way of saying thank you to them!”

Headteacher, Sarah Nicolson said she is incredibly proud of JD’s efforts. She said: “We thought it was a brilliant idea. We have fantastic children, families and a local community to really demonstrate our school motto of: ‘At John Clare, we take care’.

“We’re overwhelmed at the support given to this cause and think JD is a superstar!”

Another special gesture came when one family bought JD the next book in a series he is reading as a ‘thank you’ for making them feel happy again.