Commonwealth Bank Cleveland supports National Pyjama Day

Child Safety Minister Di Farmer and Education Minister Grace Grace added their voices to the call for people to support the fundraiser.

“The Pyjama Foundation does incredible work in our communities, helping vulnerable children learn to love learning and reading and this is such an easy way you can support them,” Ms Farmer said.

Founded in 2004, the Pyjama Foundation mentors children in foster care who need help with reading.

The charity aims to reverse the trend that sees more than 51,000 children in foster care in Australia, and three-quarters of those not finishing school.

The foundation’s volunteers visit children weekly to build a relationship, help with homework or other activities and act as a learning mentor.

Foundation communications co-ordinator Jorgia White said volunteers are known as pyjama angels.

“Our volunteers go through a screening and interview to make sure they're the right fit to take care of a child, and then they attend a training day,” she said.

Ms White said the National Pyjama Day on Friday, July 20 aimed to raise awareness.

She said the organisation raised most of the money it needed through the National Pyjama Day campaign.

Last year National Pyjama Day raised more than $250,000.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the work of the foundation’s volunteers was inspiring.

“These amazing people give up their own time to help vulnerable children with reading, literacy and other skills,” Ms Grace said.

“By doing this, the volunteers encourage children to love learning.

“We want every child in Queensland to have equal opportunities and a bright future, and the work of the Pyjama Angels is helping us to achieve this.”

The state government is giving the foundation $347,000 annually until December 2022, and committed an additional $100,000 this year.

To find out information about the Pyjama Foundation, email admin@thepyjamafoundation.com or visit thepyjamafoundation.com.