A PRIMARY school in Pitsea joined others across the country in celebrating Jeans for Genes day, but for this school the day is very personal.

In 1998, a young boy called Jamie, who went to Eversley Primary School, died from a genetic condition.

In his memory, the school set up a special garden, which can be used by the pupils if they want to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

Now, whenever the school holds Jeans for Genes day, which this year was held on Friday, they make the day about Jamie and remind the youngsters that the garden is in his memory.

Deputy headteacher at Eversley Primary School, James Hancock, said: “We have always had Jeans for Genes day to remember him.

“We have a little sensory garden where the children can look at the plants and that is called Jamie’s Garden.

“We always explain to the kids in assembly that this is his garden and and it’s there for his memory.”

Throughout the day, the children got to come into school in their own jeans instead of wearing school trousers.

They also made cupcakes with icing decorated like denim jeans.

The pupils are asked to bring a small donation in for the luxury of being able to wear their own jeans.

The school raised £245 this year which will be sent to the Jean for Genes charity.

Jeans for Genes day is a campaign which has been around for a while, beginning in 1992 and still going strong today.

The point of the day is to raise money for people born with genetic disorders.

It is estimated that one in 25 people in the UK are born with a genetic disorder, such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and sickle cell anaemia - with 30,000 babies being diagnosed with a genetic condition every year.

The main charity which raises funds for research into these kind of disorders and initiatives to help people with them is Jeans for Genes.

Jeans for Genes help disorder-specific charities and patient groups to deliver inspiring projects and support services for children affected by a genetic disorder in the UK.

The money raised on Jeans for Genes Day provide grants for patient support services, providing equipment and holding events which bring together affected children and their families. It is now commonplace in schools for children to come in wearing jeans in place of their school trousers for the national day.

But it is not commonplace that a school has a sensory garden dedicated to a young boy who died from a genetic condition almost 20 years ago.

Mr Hancock, who has been a teacher at Eversley Primary School for eight years and deputy headteacher for four of them, added: “It’s just raising that awareness and explaining that he was still a pupil at this school when he died.”