Winchester schoolchildren donned onesies to raise money for children with diabetes to support a fellow pupil.

Ten-year-old Zack McDowall helped his parents and Oliver's Battery Primary School to organise the event on Friday, in order to fundraise for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and to raise awareness for Type I diabetes – of which he was diagnosed three years ago.

Pupils at the school paid a pound each to come in sporting their favourite onesies.

Zack’s parents, Alex McDowall and Sarah Dodd, of Cromwell Road, Stanmore, have supported the Eastleigh centre of JDRF since their son’s diagnosis and have organised many other fundraising events. Mr McDowall, 34, said: “The school’s done a great job helping Zack come to terms with diabetes and to help him raise awareness.

“The disability is becoming more and more popular for fundraising events, and we are closer to a cure every day.

“Zack loves getting involved,” he added. “He’ll do as much to raise awareness as he can. Each day when he goes to the office to inject his insulin he takes a different friend with him so they can see the process.

“It’s really nice that he’s wanted to do this and it’s fantastic that the school have been so helpful. It’s been a lovely atmosphere.”

Head teacher Julie Greer said: “It’s hugely important to see the children support Zack. He’s a popular boy.

“It is a way to work together and communicate to raise awareness and support Zack, and help the children understand how children with diabetes can overcome and manage the disability to have a good and fulfilling education.”

Miss Dodd, 34, said: “It is very overwhelming that all the children have shown support for a friend of theirs. I would like to thank everybody for their support.”