WHAT child wouldn't relish getting dressed for bed - and then going to school.

Certainly the pupils at Burton Bradstock Primary School did particularly as they were dressed in pyjamas and onesies to raise money for baby Finley.

Finley's sister Eva is a pupil at the school and her friends and their families have been raising money for a charity that's helped the family.

Finley Cox was born in the autumn with a major heart defect and required emergency surgery in the Ocean Ward at Southampton General Hospital.

He then spent several days in the paediatric intensive care unit at the hospital. At such a difficult time, the family needed to be nearby and were offered accommodation in Ronald McDonald House, in the grounds of the hospital, so that they could be at his bedside as much as possible.

This provision was a real lifeline and enabled the family to be together and support each other through the crucial early days.

Mum Laura said: “It was such a traumatic time for the family and the opportunity to stay together and support each other while being close to baby Finley, made a massive difference to us all.”

On hearing about the amazing work of the hospital from Finley’s sister, Eva, her fellow pupils decided to support the Ocean Ward at Christmastime and were successful in raising almost £300 through collections at the performances of Seven Lessons and Carols in the local church as well as through a collecting box beside the school’s Christmas tree at the United Church Christmas Tree Festival in Bridport.

Not satisfied with this, and in response to Eva’s stories of her time spent at Ronald McDonald House, pupils and staff held a fun ‘Pyjama Day’ last week to raise money for the house.

Head teacher Claire Staple said: "The whole school has been touched by the story of baby Finley and the care provided by Southampton General Hospital and Ronald McDonald House.

“When Eva came to see me with her idea of having a pyjama day to raise further funds I thought it was a wonderful idea.

"The children, their families and the staff at the school have responded generously so that others can continue to enjoy the same help in the future that Eva and her family have had.”

Eva said "I really wanted to raise money for Ronald McDonald House because it was a brilliant place for us to stay when my brother was in hospital. Pyjama day was really fun and I'm really grateful that everyone joined in to support it."

Dad Jason added: "Finley became very poorly very quickly and being only moments away from paediatric intensive care made such a huge difference. We really can't thank Ronald McDonald House enough, they didn't just provide a place to stay but also a place to be together as a family."