CHILDREN at Kilmacolm Primary have pulled their socks up — in a show of support to a fellow pupil who has Down’s syndrome.

The whole school donned an array of colourful knitwear as part of worldwide campaign raising awareness of the genetic condition.

Youngsters at Kilmacolm Primary were inspired by popular P7 pupil Juliet Cunningham, 12, below left.

Everyone took part in the annual ‘Lots of Socks’ campaign as part of World Down’s Syndrome Day and had lots of fun.

The young people sported all sorts of socks with stripes, spots, stars and in all colours of the rainbow on their feet and around their body, including on their hands, head and even in their hair.

Juliet’s mum Suzie is delighted with the support of everyone at the school and says it helps drive home an important message during Down’s Syndrome Scotland Awareness Week.

She said: “It’s a fun and visual way of celebrating people’s differences.

“The pupils love coming into school with their crazy, mismatched socks on and feel a real part of the fun.

“It’s way more than just about fundraising — the focus is on raising pupil and community awareness to see past the Down’s syndrome.

“Just because some people may have Down’s syndrome, it doesn’t mean that they can’t achieve their full potential.”

Everyone at Kilmacolm Primary has been right behind Juliet since she started there and the youngster is fully included in everything they do.

Mum Suzie said: “She’s been in the school since nursery and absolutely loves it.

“Before Juliet joined, Kilmacolm Primary had no prior experience of teaching a pupil with Down’s syndrome, but they have worked with us every step of the way.

“They really believe in Juliet, as they do all the pupils, and have high expectations of her, pushing her to be the best she can be.

“Juliet is never excluded.

“Recently she was on the P7 residential trip with the other P7s to an outdoor centre where she abseiled, climbed and went down a 150-metre zip wire just like all her classmates.

“Of course, her classmates, friends and the whole school know that Juliet is different and they know she has Down’s syndrome, but they also know her as Juliet and they treat her with love and respect.

“During the course of awareness week that’s the message that we want to share and get across.”

Grace Reid, Kilmacolm Primary depute head, was blown away by the efforts of the pupils and their parents.

She said: “The children have done really well. They always respond to any fundraising or charity work we do.”