Pyjamas and money raised for kids in Hawke's Bay

NGHS students dressed for their fundraising mufti day.

Napier Girls' High School has been leading from the top, with the prefect team organising a fundraising mufti day recently to help kids in Hawke's Bay this winter.

Deputy head girl Ruby Roberts says they chose the charity Jammies for June because they were inspired by its Napier founder Gabby Allen's winter clothing drive, which she has run for the past seven years via her Facebook page Out and about with kids in Hawke's Bay.

"At the beginning of the year, we wanted to get involved in an initiative that would be able to effect positive change here in Hawke's Bay. Gabby has harnessed social media and used it in a good way to set up this drive," Ruby says.

She felt NGHS could "really add a big contribution" to this charity and says after Gabby's visit to the school, many of the students felt inspired.

"She recalled that when one young girl who lived with her grandparents and never had anything new, received her PJs and slippers, it was the 'best day of her life'. It showed everyone how such a little contribution can really positively impact someone's life."

The year 13s wore their pyjamas for mufti day and also took a pair to donate. The school raised $944 and donated more than 100 pairs of pyjamas to the cause. The money raised will be spent on pyjamas for the children in need. Ruby says everyone at Napier Girls' was touched by some of Gabby's stories.

"The stories surprised me, displaying how we can make a big difference in someone's life. Gabby also stated that we often think the system (poverty ) is too big to change. But by showing small acts of kindness like this we can help to positively affect change and change the system."

In previous years the charity has seen 20,000 pairs of warm winter items going out to those in need. Gabby and the Healthy Homes team form the HBDHB will distribute to those most in need.

Year 9 students helped Ruby organise the mufti day and collection of pyjamas. She says she will keep on supporting the charity and hopes the school will also continue to do so after she leaves.

"I was so amazed by the school's involvement and contribution. As we haven't done a fundraiser for this charity before I wasn't sure how much we would raise. Everyone exceeded my expectations and it made me realise that when unified, Napier Girls' can add huge contributions to the community."