101,000
books read to children every year
949
Pyjama Angels trained in the last year
$3.7 million
is the estimated value of volunteer hours in private tutoring
1440+
children supported every week
Belinda Russell
News Presenter for Nine Network and co-host of TODAY Extra, Belinda Russell is passionate about sharing inspirational stories and turning them into great television. With a background in presenting and producing news, current affairs, and children’s programs across Australia and in the UK, Belinda loves talking to those with encouraging experiences.
A mother of three herself, Belinda felt connected to The Pyjama Foundation’s mission and supported National Pyjama Day 2021, drawing much needed awareness to our cause, using her social platform and her role as co-anchor of TODAY Extra. Her videos also spread light and laughter, and reflect her bright and bubbly personality that we all know and love!
Revie Jane
Social Media Influencer, Podcaster and Business Owner Revie Jane Schulz has an incredible following of over two hundred and twenty thousand people. Facing adversity throughout her early childhood, the woman now known for her infectious, fun-loving personality has certainly lead an unconventional life.
She is known best for fostering an inclusive, supportive and empowering online community through her Instagram, Facebook and Podcast channel. As well as nurturing this fiercely loyal audience, Revie is an entrepreneur, launching Revie Jane Shop in August of 2020. Her products range from adult and kid affirmation cards to apparel to e-books! Revie is mother to daughters, Lexi and Lola, and wife to husband, Clay.
Megan Daley
Teacher Librarian and Blogger Megan Daley is passionate about children’s literature. She is a teacher librarian at a girls’ school in Brisbane, blogs about all things literary at childrensbooksdaily.com and is the author of ‘Raising Readers’. She has been awarded the Queensland Teacher Librarian of the Year, as well as the national Dromkeen Librarian’s Award.
“Reading allows young people to see their life experiences reflected in story – which helps them to feel less alone and can provide gentle wisdom and guidance in moving through tough times. The work the Pyjama Foundation do is vital; arming young people with the (super) power of reading can be life changing.”
Emily Jade O’Keeffe
Australian Radio Announcer “The Pyjama Foundation is so important to me because it is changing and shaping the lives of the next generation. Kids who are loved, educated and nurtured correctly will go on to do the same for their children and end the negative cycle these kids are in. Not only that, the Pyjama Angels who read to kids in foster care also benefit from the experience, many feeling more enriched and needed, don’t we all want that? It’s an ideal that just keeps giving.
“I love supporting out-of-the-box charities, and charities that encourage not just the giving of money, but value time. The Pyjama Foundation values time and people so deeply from both sides of the story, like I said being involved changes your life, both for the Pyjama Angel and the child in care.”
Jackie French
Author “What do you give a kid who has nothing? A book – and a safe and loving place to read it. A book shows you that the future can be good, and gives you the tools to help find it. When I was a scared teenager, my wonderful teacher gave me books. Because of her I never once lost faith that life would, somehow, be good.
As a young child I’d also been lavished with books. By the time I was seven years old I knew I wanted to live like Bunyip Bluegum in The Magic Pudding, in a house in a market garden with all the fruit and vegetables I wanted to eat, lots of pudding, and good conversation of an evening. By my early 20’s I had found it, all thanks to a book.
What do you give a kid who has everything? A book. Every book you read shows you how others feel, far more deeply than watching TV, because when you read a book you are the characters, creating them in partnership with the writer. Books literally create empathy, creating new neural connections in a child’s mind. Reading to a child with love, in a safe and happy place, can be the most powerful gift that you can give them.”
Andy Griffiths
Children’s Author Andy Griffiths is an Australian award winning author who inspired children of all ages with reading. His books include The “Bad Books”, The “Bum” series and “Just” series and if you every pick up his books – you won’t be able to put them down without a smile!
“I truly respect and admire the work of Bronwyn Sheehan and her amazing team of Pyjama Angels. Their constant presence in the lives of these children—no matter where the child might happen to be living at any point in time—is helping to ensure that they fall in love with books and by doing so making an enormous change for the good in every aspect of their lives: creatively, imaginatively, emotionally and academically.
I am very proud to have the opportunity to support such a unique organisation, and so happy to know that Bronwyn and her team of angels are out there making a difference in the lives of so many children in care every single day.”
Frances Whiting
Writer Frances Whiting is one of Australia’s best known and popular writers. A senior feature writer for Queensland’s premier weekend magazine, Q Weekend in the Courier Mail, Frances is also a much-loved columnist for the Sunday Mail, and other Sunday newspapers around Australia, with her weekly column now in its 17th year.
Her best-selling novel, Walking on Trampolines, published by Pan Macmillan, made all of the best seller lists, Books and Publishing awarded it a Four Star rating, and calling the book “surprising and wonderful’’.
As a former school teacher, Frances’s keen interest in children is reflected in her charity work.
Nick Earls
Author “I wouldn’t be a writer without Green Eggs & Ham, without Biggles, without the kick along my imagination got from taking in stories as a child. Reading to children sometimes creates writers, but it’s more important that it regularly creates readers, questioners, learners and thinkers. It’s part of creating adults who can imagine and who can solve problems, and who can confidently find their way in the world. Hours on a PlayStation will never do that. Being read to, and then reading, are an important part of our start in life, and something everyone is entitled to. Some kids risk missing out. That’s where The Pyjama Foundation comes in.” Visit Nick’s website at www.nickearls.com
Rebecca Sparrow
Author “When you can read, your world opens up. You can set sail on a pirate ship, visit a school for wizards or watch a group of plucky kids set up an advertising agency in their backyard – all from the comfort of your bedroom. Board games become easier to play, homework becomes easier to do. When you are a confident reader, your overall confidence rises.
Why do I love The Pyjama Foundation? Because those Pyjama Angels bring the gift of reading and adventure and confidence to foster kids. And every child deserves that. ” Visit Rebecca’s website at www.rebeccasparrow.com
Fiona Jose
Indigenous Leader Fiona is dedicated to education, reform and empowering change for Indigenous Australia. A proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Fiona’s love for her family, culture and heritage shaped her career in empowering local change in Indigenous communities. Fiona first joined the Cape York Institute in 2010 and has since held a number of executive positions as Director of Leadership for the Cape York Leaders Program, Chief Executive Officer of Cape York Institute, and now, Executive General Manager of Cape Operations. Hands-on in a number of Indigenous led organisations, Fiona is a Leader of Empowered Communities, Board Member of Bama Services, Djarragun College and Cape York Girl Academy.
Bryce Courtenay
Past Patron | Author The Pyjama Foundation wish to acknowledge our past patron Bryce Courtenay. Bryce was one of Australia’s best-selling authors, notable for his book The Power of One. Bryce was an amazing patron of the organisation, who sadly passed away in 2013.
“. . . besides love, independence of thought is the greatest gift an adult can give a child.”
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