Wear your pyjamas for a day to support families with sick children in hospital.

National charity The Sick Children’s Trust is calling on playgroups, nurseries and schools to host a Pyjama Party this October to support families with seriously ill children in hospital.

The Sick Children’s Trust’s Pyjama Party will run from Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October and encourages children to be sponsored to wear their pyjamas for the day and take part in various creative, active and educational activities, from designing their dream home and taking part in a pyjama race, to singing nursery rhymes and lullabies.

The Sick Children’s Trust supports families with seriously ill children in hospital by providing them with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation, just minutes from their child’s hospital beside, as well as emotional and practical support.

The charity’s celebrity ambassador Jen Pringle, a presenter on Channel 5’s Milkshake, is backing the campaign and is asking teachers and parents across the UK to encourage playgroups, nurseries and schools to hold a Pyjama Party. Jen Pringle says:

“The Pyjama Party is such a fun campaign to take part in. Every playgroup, nursery or school that wants to get involved will receive a wonderful fundraising pack, full of activity ideas and little extras to make it really easy to organise their day.

“And the fun isn’t just for children, adults can join in too! Why not encourage your colleagues to wear their favourite slippers to work or host a onesie day in the office? No matter how old you are, choose your favourite jim jams and join us for lots of Pyjama Party fun this October.”

The Sick Children’s Trust runs ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the country, supporting around 4,000 families every year. Each house has private bedrooms, a shared kitchen, living room and a playroom for siblings. It costs the charity £30 to support a family for one night and the charity relies entirely on voluntary donations to keep its houses running. Jane Featherstone, Chief Executive at The Sick Children’s Trust, says:

“The Pyjama Party is a great campaign for children (and adults) to get involved in and we can’t wait to see you all dressed up in your favourite pyjamas! By taking part, you’re helping to support thousands of families with children being treated in specialist hospitals across the UK.”

If you’d like to join Jen in supporting the Pyjama Party, please email pyjamaparty@sickchildrenstrust.org or call 020 7283 4066 to request your free fundraising pack.