Best-ever Jammies 4 June thanks to community

THANKS TAIRAWHITI: Students from Aurora Young Leaders group with some of the pyjamas donated from their schools for the Jammies 4 June cause. From left are Central School's Dylan Ng, 10, Makaraka's Eilidh Green ,10, J4J organiser Cassandra Blumfield, and Makauri's Ava Greaves,11, and St Mary's Kylah Loftus 10. Picture by Liam Clayton

Tairawhiti youngsters will be snuggly and warm in their pyjamas over winter, thanks to the community's best-ever Jammies 4 June fundraiser.

J4J Gizzy received 768 brand new pairs of PJs and over 200 other items, including blankets, beanies, socks, knitted garments and thermals.

The charity gives locals the chance to support children in need by donating winter clothing items or cash.

J4J started on April 1 and ran to May 15.

The quantity of donations was such that it took organiser Cassandra Blumfield a full week of sorting through and boxing everything up.

“The biggest thank you to our community members and businesses,” she said. “It wouldn't be possible without their support.

“The support shown for our youngest in Tairawhiti shows what an amazing community we have here.”

“Some schools and early childhood services received a pair for every single child. Others received bulk lots to hand out to the children most in need.”

Individuals and organisations alike got behind the charity through donations and fundraisers.

Almost a dozen childcare centres and schools held a Jammies Day to raise money.

Major companies such as The Warehouse and ANZ Bank and local businesses like Riversun and Dive Tatapouri gave to the cause.

The Rapid Relief Team donated 75 thermal blankets.

Gisborne schools and community centres received the clothing and passed the items on to families who needed them.

Cassandra also thanked SuperGrans for their support and providing space for the items to be dropped off and sorted.

Cassandra first ran Jammies 4 June in 2017. Since then it has kept children in Tairawhiti toasty by providing them with over 2000 pairs of pyjamas and other winter items.