A BOY who received heart surgery at birth joined in with the Children in Need spirit.
Five-year-old Archie Stokes and his pals spent the day in their pyjamas in support of the fundraising event on Friday.
The youngsters, who had also gone to Chipping Ongar Primary School in their nightwear, spent the rest of the day talking to customers at Balloonatics in Ongar High Street.
Fay Hewett, from the shop, said: "It was nice for the children to mark Children in Need as Archie had heart surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital when he was born. He's perfectly well now, but this gave them all the opportunity to appreciate the people the charity helps.
"The customers loved seeing the children and all of our staff in our pyjamas and getting into the fun of the day.
"The children inspired our customers to donate their change to the charity and between them they raised £20, which is lovely as they are only young."
Over in North Weald, a school raised record amounts for Children in Need.
St Andrews Primary School, in School Green Lane, raised a total of £1,001.44 selling Pudsey keyrings, wristbands, badges and cakes.
Secretary Debbie Stainsbury said: "Everybody dressed spotty for the day and we had a prize for the spottiest infant and spottiest junior pupil.
"Pupils took part in a talent show and staff performed a small sketch entitled Snow White and The Little People. The 'little people' were dressed in baseball caps, waistcoats, long socks and boots and did a rap and dance. The children went wild and thought we were great!"
Deputy head teacher Charles Padfield and sports coach Danny Honeyball had been sponsored to grow beards and shaved them off on stage in front of the pupils.
