Pyjamas, onesies and nighties had special significance when they were worn for a day at a Broadstairs solicitors.

Staff at Barnes Marsland in the High Street were on mission on Friday. The 21-strong team, headed by senior partner Colin Chapman in his Superman onesie, wanted to raise funds and awareness for little-known charity Narcolepsy UK.

Callers and clients were amused and interested to find the team had swapped suits and formal wear for a more relaxed look.

They made donations, helping to raise £76.02, and went away to spread the word about a serious and debilitating, but rare illness.

Narcolepsy is a chronic condition where the brain is unable to properly control sleep/wakefulness. Those affected fall asleep at any time without control and feel constantly tired.

Barnes Marsland partner Jane Mackenzie knows from her sister-in-law Cattrina Wigley, a sufferer, that this is a serious, distressing and disruptive condition. One of the biggest problems is that people do not understand it.

Jane rallied her colleagues who made and collected donations for their attire, from clients and visitors throughout the day.

Cattrina, who is in her early 30s, was diagnosed two years ago – some two years after she first noticed symptoms, a relatively quick diagnosis.

She said: “I am considered lucky, average diagnosis time is five to 15 years.”

For a time, Cattrina had to give up driving. Being able to hold her young baby when alone was not so simple, and narcolepsy has also had an impact on her working life. She said: “I’ve gone from being confident, independent and outgoing to feeling almost reclusive at times. I have good and bad days with my condition. I feel guilty about having this condition, I constantly feel apologetic for how I feel.”

An estimated 25,000 people in the UK are thought to suffer from the disease and there is no known cure.

To find out more visit www.narcolepsy.org.uk