Pyjamas with a purpose: National Pyjama Day 2020

For more than 15 years The Pyjama Foundation has supported children in foster care, inspiring them with learning, life skills and confidence. In 2020, its work has become more important than ever as Australia’s most vulnerable children battle with additional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s why early childhood education and care (ECEC) services around Australia are being encouraged to get involved in National Pyjama Day 2020, to be held 17 July.

While children across the country have all struggled in one way or another with the changes brought about by the pandemic, for children who have been removed from the custody of their birth families, the pandemic has been an especially isolating time.

Although Pyjama Day in 2020 may look different, The Pyjama Foundation Founder and CEO Bronwyn Sheehan said, she is confident the supportive community will help in whatever way they can.

“Many people are already staying in their pyjamas in the comfort of their own home, so why not use this extra time to wear them for purpose and help raise money to support kids in care?” she added.

National Pyjama Day is the Foundation’s biggest fundraising event of the year, with more than $250,000 raised to support this vital Program. Money raised by the day enables the Foundation to continue expanding its reach and supporting many more vulnerable children across the country.

The Pyjama Foundation recruits, screens and trains volunteer mentors, and then carefully matches them with a child in care. Together, they focus on learning-based activities and games, with the aim of improving the child’s educational outcomes and confidence.

Last year more than 1,800 participants from schools to law firms donned their pyjamas at events around the country, and the Foundation hopes 2020 will be even bigger than ever.

Registrations can be made via the Foundation’s website, with a range of downloadable resources available to help in promotion.