Tots Raise £18,000 For Sick Children’s Charity By Popping On Their Pyjamas

Over 100 nurseries, playgroups and schools across the UK have raised £18,000 for The Sick Children’s Trust after taking part in its first Pyjama Party.

In October, children across the country were sponsored to pop on their favourite pyjamas and take part in The Sick Children’s Trust’s Pyjama Party to raise money to support families with seriously ill children in hospital.

The money raised from Pyjama Party will help keep thousands of families together, just minutes from their sick child’s hospital bedside, thanks to free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation run by The Sick Children’s Trust. Chief Executive, Jane Featherstone, says:

“We are overwhelmed by the amount of support we received for Pyjama Party and would like to thank everyone who has taken part.

“It costs the charity £30 a night to support a family with ‘Home from Home’ accommodation and because of all the support we’ve received from Pyjama Party we will be able to give thousands of families a ‘Home from Home’ when their child is in hospital for lifesaving treatment.”

One nursery which took part is located next to The Sick Children’s Trust’s ‘Home from Home’ Scott House at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital. Free Spirits Nursery raised £1,080, with 20 children taking part.

Manager Marika Knotts says: “Both the children and the staff at Free Spirits had a lovely day wearing their pyjamas and raising money for such a worthwhile cause.

“As our close neighbour, we have seen first-hand the fantastic work carried out by The Sick Children’s Trust and all the staff at Scott House. We have also been privileged to work with many of the families there.”

The Sick Children’s Trust’s runs ten ‘Homes from Home’ giving families a private bedroom with a direct phone line to the ward, access to kitchens and living areas along with laundry facilities. Although the accommodation is free to families, it costs £30 to support a family for one night and the charity relies solely on voluntary donations.

For further information about The Sick Children’s Trust, please visit http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/