Olympic gold medallist Dame Valerie Adams is working with the Middlemore Foundation to warm up winter for 10,000 kids with the Jammie for June campaign.
“Too many children from our community are being admitted to Kidz First Hospital with respiratory illnesses because they live in cold damp houses," says Dame Valerie.
Dr Richard Matsas, Clinical Director of Kidz First Hospital and Community Health, explains that pyjamas are helpful in keeping children safe from winter illness by keeping children warm through the night.
“Being snug and warm can help boost kids’ immunity, making them less susceptible to falling ill.”
Miriam Manga, a Kidz First Nurse Practitioner, spoke of the joy that a new pair of pyjamas brings to children admitted to Kidz First.
“It may seem like a small gesture, but children's faces light up with joy when they receive a brand-new pair of pyjamas given by somebody they have never met.”
Jammies for June has been running for 12 years to help keep Kidz First patients warm. Pyjamas will be given to children at Kidz First Hospital, Kidz First Community, and the 76 primary schools that the foundation supports through the Mana Kidz School Health programme.
In addition to pyjamas, the Middlemore Foundation also purchases blankets, hot water bottles, and heaters to help keep children warm with this year's target 10,000 pairs of pyjamas.
Over the years, the foundation has distributed over 80,000 pairs of jammies donated by supporters.
Support Jammies for June
This year, as well as sending pyjamas, you can warm up winter for our littlest patients by donating a virtual pair of jammies to put on the line! This will get new jammies and other essential winter warm-up items to a child in hospital or living in a cold, damp home.
Support Dame Valerie's army by becoming a Jammie fundraiser and having fun at the same time! Fundraising events could be anything from pyjama parties, to wearing jammies to work, to decorating the office into a giant bedroom.
Visit https://www.jammiesforjune.org.nz to donate, fundraise, or buy some jammies.