A very special guest visited the children at a school in Woodford Green last week.

Tansy the pony from the Chigwell Riding Centre for Special Needs spent the afternoon at Bancroft’s Preparatory School for their annual charity day.

The school had chosen the riding centre to be one of the charities to benefit from over £9,000 raised on the day.

Headteacher, Joe Layburn, said: “Everyone loved Tansy, she made a real impression on the children. She even had her own visitor’s permit!

“Chigwell Riding Trust is a fantastic and very special local charity doing an absolutely brilliant job. Many of our senior pupils have volunteered there.”

During the day pupils were encouraged to raise money through sponsorship. The Year 5 and 6 pupils were challenged to row the length of Lake Victoria and for this the school borrowed 15 rowing machines from the Redbridge Sports Partnership.

Year 3 and 4 pupils also did their bit by running the height of Mount Everest. In the afternoon, Year 5 organised a colourful with lots of stalls and competitions including guess the weight of Lucy the giant tortoise, cakes, crafts, face painting and soaking teachers.

Mr Layburn said: “The children worked hard and enthusiastically to raise funds for these fabulous charities which help disabled local children and children worldwide.

“I am immensely proud of their efforts in raising a record sum by this annual event.”