A PYJAMA day is to be held in Dursley and Cam to encourage donations and raise the awareness of a devastating disease.

To support national charity, Meningitis UK, the event running into its third year will see businesses and schools donning their PJs and onesies on Friday, February 8.

Shops including the Filling Station, A Cut Above The Rest in Dursley and Berry Blue Cafe and Techniques in Cam are to take part and wear their sleeping attire and help collect donations.

Staff at Sainsbury’s on Castle Street will also be showing off their nightwear to help collect for the charity and Rednock School will be holding a non-uniform day the day before (Thursday, February 7) and Coop Nursery in Cam will also be doing their bit to raise funds.

In addition, Dursley's MP Neil Carmichael will visit the supermarket to lend his support and to hear from event organiser, Aurelie Brunet-Lua, about why the new Meningitis B vaccine should be part of the national vaccination plan.

Mrs Brunet-Lua, 30, experienced the devastating effects of the disease firsthand when her son Mattia contracted meningococcal septicaemia at only four months of age in January 2011.

He battled for his life but after ten days in intensive care and ten days in a general ward he was taken home and has gradually made a full recovery.

“The idea came to us when we came home from hospital with Mattia. It was early evening and my boss came by to visit and see how we were doing and I was horrified when she came in as I was in PJs already,” she said.

“Later on I realised we'd just been through the worst, what did it matter that my boss had seen me in my PJs at 6pm? The Dursley mother, and manager of Berry Blue Cafe, outlined her plans for the day and is urging even more people to take part.

“I will be taking my boys to Music with Mummy in our PJs and attend my daughter's class assembly too,” she said.

“We will obviously have a good walk in town, pop in the Berry Blue Cafe where the staff will be wearing their PJs too and in the evening we're all out in the pubs raising money and awareness for Meningitis UK.

“Our biggest wish is that no one should go through what our little one has gone through. Only a vaccine to eradicate all forms of meningitis would make this possible.”

For more information Mrs Brunet-Lua can be contacted on 07867 687452 and if you wish to donate you can visit www.justgiving.com/pjday2013