Youngsters at two local primary schools donned hats for the nation’s largest brain tumour awareness and fundraising event.

Dressed in everything from sombreros to firemen’s helmets, Settle and Rathmell Primary School pupils took part in Wear A Hat Day, organised by Brain Tumour Research.

They were inspired to take part by four-year-old Jack Lambert, of Wigglesworth, who was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour when just 20 months old.

He endured six months of intensive chemotherapy followed by stem cell therapy and was free of cancer for 18 months. Sadly, in June 2012, Jack was diagnosed with secondary cancer and had to endure a second course of intensive treatment, which involved daily radiotherapy for six weeks.

It proved successful and he is now in remission, although he faces five years of scans before he can be given the all clear.

“Jack has gone from strength to strength in recent months,” said family friend Sarah Kynaston. “In January he started pre-school at Rathmell Primary School and is absolutely loving it and is thriving educationally.

“Although he is not able to walk unaided, with the help of splints and a walking frame he is able to get about on his feet for short amounts of time. But best off all he is a happy, joyful little boy who melts the heart of anyone who is lucky enough to know him.”

Sarah, along with Jack’s mum Jen Lambert and close friends Kathryn Booth and Lorraine Oliver, have launched Jack’s Journey to raise awareness and funds for Brain Tumour Research and Support which helps to fund a research laboratory in Leeds and provides patient support.

Cancer of the brain kills more people under 40 than any other type of cancer yet it is the least funded, with less than one per cent of money raised nationally for cancer research being devoted to brain tumour research.

In nine months, Jack’s Journey has raised more than £22,000.