Going bananas over collecting pyjamas
A Pukekohe women is doing her bit in the community to make sure kiddies keep warm during this year’s cold wintry season by collecting pyjamas.
Pukekohe’s Vicki Irwin, who collected 600 pyjamas last year, is no stranger to Middlemore Foundation’s Jammies in June incentive.
Jammies in June was created in a bid to combat increasing hospital admittance numbers during the winter season.
The PJs also keep kids admitted to hospital snugly and warm.
This year, she is back at it again to go bananas over pyjamas in Franklin.
Irwin first heard about the incentive during a Kidz First Children’s Hospital visit with her daughter where she spotted a Jammies in June pamphlet.
‘‘You see some children (at Kidz First) that are very, very sick with rheumatic fever ... simply because they don’t have warm clothing,’’ said Irwin.
‘‘Not only do these children have cold, damp houses, they don’t have warm pyjamas. If I can keep one kid out of hospital ... that’s the reason [I collect pyjamas].’’
The pyjamas will be distributed to organisations such as Kidz First, Manukau SuperClinic, Taonga Education Centre, Community Midwives and other social services.
According to Middlemore Foundation, around 320 children are admitted to Kidz First Children’s Hospital in January.
That number increases to more than 700 during August.
Irwin plans to collect another 600 pyjamas this year with help from local support.
There are over 10 pyjama dropoff points in town, including DMI Plumbing, Sugar Shed and Pukekohe High School.
To find out more information visit www.middlemorefoundation.org.nz