Pupils from Lyneham Primary School took part in a week of purple-themed events in support of their classmate Amy Tanker, who suffers from epilepsy.

Nine-year-old Amy organised the events to raise funds for Young Epilepsy, the charity that offered support to the youngster and her family after diagnosis of the illness.

The onset of Amy’s epilepsy was traumatic, leading to a severe attack of seizures in August. She was rushed to hospital at the time, but it wasn’t until December that she was diagnosed as epileptic.

Pupils learned about epilepsy during a series of workshops, and created purple art work including a peacock painting and origami butterflies.

On Friday, headteacher Julie Carr spent the day painting pebbles to make a purple pathway, which will be placed in the school grounds, and every child came in dressed in purple.

Amy’s mum, Christine Tanker, said Young Epilepsy had been a lifeline, especially when her husband Adam, who is stationed at Brize Norton, was away from home.

She said: “My husband’s in the air force so he’s away quite a bit, and with her having seizures in her sleep I was worried to go to sleep myself.

“When I rang them up they were so understanding and helpful.

“They sent Amy a story book which was really good at explaining it in a way children would understand.”

Amy used her lunch times and play times to help organise the week, including writing letters to parents and preparing an assembly presentation on Friday.

Parents, local bakeries and famous London cake shop Choccywoccydoodah also donated prizes, including purple cakes, for a raffle, which raised more than £110 out of the total £300 collected.

Mrs Tanker said: “I’m very proud of Amy, she did a beautiful presentation. When she was diagnosed it was a bit of a shock and it really knocked her confidence, but she’s turned it all around and into a positive.”

The school’s special needs co-ordinator Christine Kennedy said: “It’s the first time we have done anything for epilepsy and every child has been involved.

“Amy wanted to do this because the charity has given her a lot of support.