DRESSING as a princess wearing sparkly shoes, fairy wings and pretty dresses is what beautiful Ellie Davidson loved to do.

She also liked all things crazy and wacky, so as a fitting tribute to the eight-year-old, who died from leukaemia in June, her former classmates at Collingbourne Ducis Primary School swapped their uniforms and raided their wardrobes to don their coolest, craziest outfits – Ellie style.

From clowns, Minions and funky sunglasses, pupils dressed to impress today (Friday) to raise more than £155 in memory of Ellie for Stand Up to Cancer, a joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

It was Ellie’s godmother Nikki Hall, from Collingbourne Ducis, who asked pupils and staff to support the campaign, which aims to raise money to fund vital research for new and better treatments to cancer patients faster.

“Ellie used to love to dress up in crazy clothes, like fairy wings and pink trainers. She was the life and soul and loved all crazy things," Ms Hall said.

“A crazy class day is an ideal way to remember Ellie and when I asked the staff if they could squeeze in a fundraiser for her the response was a most definite yes.”

A usually bald headteacher Jeff Mason even joined in with the dressing up and got the youngsters giggling by sporting a bright red afro.

Ellie, of Collingbourne Ducis, was three when she was diagnosed with leukaemia and underwent several years of treatment before going into remission in July 2012.

However, 14 months later a routine blood test revealed her cancer had returned and, despite further intensive treatment, her family were told her only hope was a bone marrow transplant.

Although Ellie’s mum Hannah Mortimer, 30, from Collingbourne Ducis, dad Richard Davidson, 40, from Ludgershall, and five-year-old brother, Oscar, all signed up to the bone marrow register none were a match.

Hundreds of people responded to an appeal by her parents to sign up to the bone marrow register and a match was found.

Sadly, neither the transplant nor intensive chemotherapy were able to save Ellie and despite briefly going into remission following the transplant she died.

Ms Hall, who wore a jester's hat and tutu today, added: "Ellie fought a good battle against cancer for five years. She was an amazing, inspirational, little girl. She impressed everyone who knew her with her bravery."

For more information and to get involved with the campaign visit: standuptocancer.org.uk