The Aurora Foundation empowers students with Jammies 4 June project

Aurora’s programme educated children about gifting pyjamas. From left are Jackson Lindstrom of Te Mahia School, Frankie Wallingford of Gisborne Central School, Cassandra Blumfield of Jammies 4 June Gizzy, Amore Kotzee of Makauri School, and Asha Hikawai of Frasertown School. Photo / Rebecca Grunwell 

Future leaders from 36 schools in Tairāwhiti, the East Coast and Wairoa gathered at Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club this week to learn about gifting pyjamas to children in need.

Aurora Education Foundation executive director Sunny Bush said its programme was a “gifted education programme promoting high-potential children”, and these ākonga (students) heard from Cassandra Blumfield, the founder of Jammies 4 June Gizzy.

Blumfield said she ran the non-profit voluntarily and worked full-time.

“Some children don’t have jammies and go to sleep in a cold bed.”

This was the ninth year of the programme, by which schools and other organisations raise money to donate pyjamas.

“Something little can make a big impact in a big way,” she said.

The children asked questions at the end of the session and learned that, in the past year, 2000 pairs of pyjamas were collected.

Bush said the event was part of a series of six workshops over two terms.

“And as such, it comes under the umbrella of our Aurora Empathy in Action concept ... the focus is on service leadership within the local community.”

Aurora’s Gisborne theme for 2025 is “Stepping Up, Giving Back”.