Non-Uniform Day

Red Dragon FM Breakfast Show presenters, Jason Harrold and Emma Hignett, joined school pupils from across Wales today to help raise money for the Noah's Ark Appeal.

Pupils from hundreds of Welsh schools paid to take part in the first ever Noah's Ark National Non-School Uniform Day, in a bid to raise the funds required to build the first Children's Hospital for Wales. This event was just one of the activities planned for the appeal this year, which will include Ian Botham's charity walk from Machynlleth to Cardiff in April.

The Red Dragon FM duo have been busy promoting today's event on air and, as they are normally lucky enough not to have to worry too much about what they wear to work, decided to lend their full support to the cause by turning up at the station this morning in full school uniform!

Through various charity events, schools in Wales last year contributed more than £23,000 towards the £5million target and, with £1million left to raise, the charity is well on the way to reaching the final total required to help give sick Welsh youngsters the specialist care they need.

Philip Carling, director of communications for the Noah's Ark Appeal said he was grateful for Red Dragon FM's efforts to raise awareness of the appeal.

"We have had a great response from schools wanting to take part in the event and I know that a lot of pupils heard it first on Red Dragon FM," he said.

"I know that when I was at school, I would have done anything to avoid wearing uniform so this kind of day allows pupils to have a bit of fun while helping to raise money for those children who are less fortunate than themselves and require specialist care. We'd like to extend our gratitude to everybody who has taken part and look forward to Ian's mammoth walk next month."

Eirwen Parker, marketing manager for Red Dragon FM, said the station was delighted to be able to lend its support to such a worthy cause. "The Children's Hospital will provide a much needed service in Wales and as a radio station, we were really pleased to be able to help in any way we could," she said."Jason and Emma have done a great job in helping to get schools across South Wales involved but, to be honest, I think they enjoyed the chance to be school kids again - even if it was for just a day!"