CLASSMATES of a girl who is preparing to have major surgery gave themselves “magical hairstyles” to raise money for the charity which has supported her through a genetic disorder.

Skye O’Leary, ten, was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, a rare condition affecting the body’s connective tissue, just before her ninth birthday in 2013.

This has caused a number of issues, including scoliosis, which is a curved spine, a sunken ribcage which squashed one of her lungs, and a leaking heart valve.

The disorder is formed from a fault in the Fibrillin-1 gene.

Skye’s mum Janine said: “She copes very well with it.

“It is difficult because she was a child with nothing wrong with her and all of a sudden these things happened to her and all the effects kicked inwithin about two years.

“It has been a big lifestyle change.”

Skye’s pressured lung means she gets very tired and out of breath, and she has pains due to the issues with her spine.

She is due to have an operation to straighten her spine using metal rods at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, on April 13.

There is only one charity in the UK devoted to raising cash and awareness for the condition – the Marfan trust.

Janine said: “We’ve just thrown ourselves into fundraising.

“Every tiny little thing they get makes such a massive difference.”

On Friday, her classmates at Layer de la Haye Primary School, in High Road, took part in a fundraising magical hairstyles day in aid of the Marfan Trust.

They came into school with their hair in creative styles, using glitter, temporary paints and other props.

Janine said: “They are such a lovely bunch of kids.

“The school has been amazing.

Their support has made it a little easier for us.”

Skye, who lives with her family in James Carter Road, Colchester, went round to all the classrooms and told them about the condition, and there was a competition for best hairstyle.

Cheryl Helsden, the school council co-ordinator, said: “It was brilliant. They were so enthusiastic.”