Central Coast News

National Pyjama Day brings much-needed attention to the important work of The Pyjama Foundation, who offer a one-on-one mentoring program, called the ‘Love of Learning Program,’ to children in foster care who desperately need assistance with reading, writing and building confidence.

With more than 46,000 children in foster care across the country, the money raised from National Pyjama Day will go towards educational resources and the training, screening and recruitment of volunteer mentors – dubbed ‘Pyjama Angels’.

The day will see hundreds of businesses, schools, and childcare centres swap their everyday get-up for their comfiest pyjamas and onesies, in exchange for a donation.

Founder and Executive Director of The Pyjama Foundation, Bronwyn Sheehan, says there has never been a more crucial time to support Australian kids in care.

“Statistics show us that 75 per cent of children in care are not finishing school. Many children in care bounce from home to home, and to different schools which greatly hinders their learning and their ability to form stable relationships.”

“By offering these children mentors, who visit them once a week to help them with their homework, literacy and numeracy, we’re helping them to take a step closer to achieving their dreams, whether it be to become an astronaut or a nurse,” Ms Sheehan said.

The Pyjama Foundation currently offers their Love of Learning Program to more than 1,300 children in care each week, and has supported more than 7000 children since its inception in 2004. National Pyjama Day has been an integral part of the charity’s fundraising calendar since 2010

National Pyjama Day 2016

When:

Friday 22 July 2016

How:

• Register your workplace, school or child care centre for National Pyjama Day at www.thepyjamafoundation.com to receive a free fundraising kit
• Donate via https://donation.giveeasy.org/the-pyjama-foundation

Why:

To raise money for The Pyjama Foundation so it can continue to support the dreams of children in foster care.