Pyjama angels fostering hope

Winning the best dressed PJ competition was records officer Carla Gillam (right), pictured with council's very own Pyjama Angle Vicki Sawyer.

YOU could be forgiven for thinking council staff had just got out of bed when they rocked up to the Warwick office dressed in their pyjamas on Friday.
But this wasn’t a humorous new take on casual Friday – Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) was taking part in the Australia Post Pyjama Day, a fun way to help highlight the importance of reading while also raising vital funds for children in foster care.
“There are around 39,000 Australian citizens in foster and alternative care and their needs are many,” SDRC manager community services Shiela Stebbings said.
“The funds raised are used to help stop the cycle of disadvantage for many children,” Ms Stebbings said.
For a gold coin donation, staff were able to don their favourite PJs while supporting the Pyjama Foundation, an Australian charity working to improve the literacy and numerous outcomes for children in foster care.
The foundation delivers a Love of Learning mentoring program where volunteer Pyjama Angles visit children in care each week to read books, play games and encourage other learning-based activities.
SDRC has several Pyjama Angles, including Vicki Sawyer and Jill Yearman.
Vicki has been a Pyjama Angle for about five years after noticing a poster at the library.
“Being a Pyjama Angle does not always mean that you are reading to your foster child, it could be helping them with their homework, puzzles, jigsaws or just talking to them as you are not there to be a “parent”,” she said.
“Often these children are struggling to overcome negative past experiences and trauma and the friendship you will build with the child can be the foundation that can lead them to a rewarding future,” she said.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Pyjama Foundation can contribute at the Warwick and Stanthorpe council offices.