FUNDRAISING proved to be part of students’ DNA when they swapped uniform for jeans to raise awareness about genetic disorders.
Students from St Aidan’s Academy, Darlington, were quick to volunteer with a Jeans for Genes day after hearing how one in 25 children are born with hidden health issues.
Cystic fibrosis and Huntingdon’s Disease are just two of a host of conditions that affect up to 500,000 children a year born with flawed alleles in their genetic make up.
Students and staff paid a £1 to wear jeans, enjoyed a bake sale and a guess the weight competition to raise money for further research.
Assistant director of learning in science Vicky King said: “We are looking at genetics as part of their learning so this was a great opportunity to raise awareness among students.
“I think they were shocked to hear just how many children are affected and to think that they might be living with the genetic disorders not knowing how they might develop later in life.”
