A MASS show of support for Chiddingfold Surgery – which has to rebuild its premises following a devastating overnight fire on January 7 – saw pupils of village primary St Mary’s transformed into doctors, nurses and patients to support a fundraising non-uniform day.

Ofsted inspectors making a site visit at the same time were very surprised to see so many ‘injured’ and ‘spotty’ children, not to mention heavily bandaged pupils on crutches.

Compassionate Year 6 pupil Kayleb suggested holding the mufti day, which raised £273 in aid of the surgery, with the headteacher Janis Radcliffe.

Mrs Radcliffe said: “Kayleb and all the other pupils of St Mary’s School are very special indeed, in the way they so selflessly care about others. Children display maturity and ‘courageous advocacy’ – they will readily stand up and speak out for a cause they believe to be important. Not only do they and their parents support local charities, but also disadvantaged children in faraway schools.”