Two pyjama-wearing mums from Potton affected by brain diseases have raised £3,500 for The National Brain Appeal charity.

The Comet: Jane Walker shopping in Potton in her pyjamasJane Walker shopping in Potton in her pyjamas (Image: Archant)

Jane Walker, 45, and Amy Taylor, 44, have been fundraising for the charity’s ‘Pyjama Party’, with Jane’s story inspiring Amy to take part too.

Jane spent two weeks wearing her pyjamas in Potton, while Amy wore her pyjamas on her twice-daily walks with her dog Harry.

Amy had a collection box around her neck, with balloons attached and a poster designed by her daughter on her back, while Jane also had a poster and balloons on her shopping trolley.

Amy said: “People in Potton got behind it with supportive messages on the ‘We Love Potton’ Facebook group which also led to donations. People stopped me in the street – it proved a real talking point.”

Potton Lower School teacher Jane – who lives with husband Gary and children Connor, 19 and Joely, 17, has recently undergone major brain surgery.

Initially Jane was completely unaware she had a brain tumour. With hindsight she realised she’d been experiencing difficulties finding words, needed to re-read things and felt her writing was slower. However, she just felt it was the pressures of life as a teacher.

She said: “One night it felt like everything in my brain was scrambled and the same syllable kept coming out of my mouth. Gary tried to pick me up and then my legs and arms began to jolt. I so wanted to say to Gary I loved him but I felt like I was slipping away.”

Jane had a large seizure and fell unconscious, and later tests found she had a brain tumour.

After the operation to remove it she said: “I was so relieved. I’m a positive, strong person but I’d been feeling anxious. To hear the benign tumour had gone was a huge weight off my mind. It’s made me look at life differently. I’m so grateful I’ve a second chance at life.

“Before it was like I was on a continuous hamster wheel with so much to do – now I take time to notice the little things in life, such as the beautiful autumn colours.

“I had so much fun going around Potton in my pyjamas. Family, friends and the staff, pupils and parents at school have really supported me and been so generous.”

Accountant Amy – who lives with husband Paul and children Rebecca, 13, and eight-year-old Miles – lost her mother in August to a brain condition, as well as losing her beloved aunt to brain cancer. Amy said: “It’s a good cause to support in memory of my mum and aunty.”

Jane has raised more than £3,000, with Amy raising £500 for the charity. The school, where Amy’s son Miles is a pupil, also had a day where the children wore their pyjamas and donated £1 each to the charity. Many parents also got on board and wore their pyjamas on the school run.

Jane said: “It’s been amazing. I’m overwhelmed, and feel so blessed to live in such a lovely community. I’m so proud to have raised more than £3,000.

“I’m going to miss wearing my pyjamas!”

It’s not too late to donate to both ladies. Visit Amy’s page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Marina-Taylor1 – and for Jane’s fundraising efforts go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JaneWalker-PyjamaParty