Jammies in June: Thank you — one(sies) and all

Mellons Bay school's Abby Patterson, Alice Bolabiu, Florenza Nustrini and Jay Hatton helped collect 68 pairs of pyjamas.

Jammies in June has raised a record amount. Today we say thank you for your generosity.

A record-breaking Jammies in June has come to an end and, thanks to you, thousands of needy kids will stay warm this winter.

You donated 9,000 pairs of snuggly warm pyjamas and onesies to the Middlemore Foundation and Herald on Sunday campaign.

And counting.

Wendy Petrie with Mariam Khalid from Kidz First, Middlemore Hospital. Photo / Michael Craig

You gave $55,000 cash to put towards pyjamas, onesies, vests, bed socks and blankets.

And counting.

From schools to businesses, churches and sports clubs to service groups and many individuals, you did your bit to help the Middlemore Foundation help kids who don't have warm sleepwear this winter.

King's College students Laura Hewett, 17, Anabelle Cho, 16, and Claudia Williams, 16, help sort some of the PJs flooding into Middlemore Hospital. Photo / Michael Craig

The final tally won't be known for a few weeks, but foundation community relations and fundraising officer Ankita Luthra said the third annual Jammies in June was the most successful yet.

"We've set the bar high for next year, but no doubt a lot more people are aware of how high the need is in our community. And the feedback from many groups who have collected PJs has been that the campaign is so easy, tangible and fun to be a part of, they've signed up to be on the mailing list for next year."

Foundation public relations officer David Kemeys, who helped distribute donations, said: "We're grateful for the exposure the Herald on Sunday gave us, because it meant the campaign reached many more people.

Middlemore Foundation staff member Joanne Hand with the pyjamas donated by Martha's Backyard.

David Kemeys, Middlemore Foundation staff member, with boxes of donated pyjamas and onesies.

"We've had contributions from across the city and around the country and even from overseas. The notes you get on the pyjamas are great."

In many heartfelt notes, children wrote how sorry they were others don't have pyjamas.

"It's very touching," said Kemeys.

Jammies in June's simple premise was its strength, Kemeys said.

"It's common sense. You make sure kids are warm and hopefully more will stay well. We can all grasp that and it doesn't cost a fortune to help."

But for the campaign to succeed, people still had to decide to help.

"We have the advantage in that we see the reactions of people who are perhaps struggling a bit, we see them knocked over with surprise that others want to help, and we see the little ones in Kidz First hopping about with excitement because they got a onesie."