When one little boy was given a new pair of pyjamas by the Kindness Collective’s PJ Project, he wore them proudly to kindy the next day. “It was the only warm clothes he had,”the centre manager told us.

“The winter months are harder than any other time of the year for our families financially. There are usually extended family members living together during winter as  precaution.

“I have been told that a family was heating their house by using their oven as a heater, keeping the door open. There is a lot more sickness… often our children arrive more tired, grizzly and sometimes hungry in winter.”

A survey of theKindness Collective’s community partners paints a bleak picture of how the cost-of-living crisis is impacting families. One school said the general mood was ‘helplessness’ with families unable to afford electricity.

 “It is increasingly common for vulnerable families to simply have no means to heat their home during winter so it all comes down to clothing.”

“Kids often talkabout being freezing cold during the night, sleeping with siblings in the bed in an attempt to warm up and get good quality sleep.”

It’s what makesthis year’s PJ Project more vital than ever. Nearly 170,000 children are now living in material hardship. At the Kindness Collective, we’re seeing that reflected in rising demand. Last year more than 28,000 children received a new pair of warm jammies. This year, requests for PJs are up 12%.

Many community partners reported increasing sickness among families, including respiratory illness, strep A and rheumatic heart disease.

“It is commonplace for families to move into one room at home to save on heating, the disadvantage of which is an immediate increase in dampness and poor air quality in the homewhich leads to poorer health outcomes for all occupants, predominantly children.”

One school reported nearly 40% of their children absent from sickness at any one time over winter.“Children miss key learning and it's hard to catch up.”

“They sleep duringthe day as it's too cold to sleep at night so they are extremely tiredtherefore attendance is lacking,” another teacher wrote.

Providing a pair of warm pyjamas may seem a small gesture, but the community partners surveyed spoke of wide impacts. Schools wrote of the difference they saw in children when they had had enough sleep - because they were warm.

“When children arewarm, they get a good night’s rest and are ready to learn and thrive. That’sthe difference a warm pair of pyjamas can make, so thank you for what you do”

The support isn’tjust practical. Our community partners spoke of how the pyjamas didn’t just provide warmth - they boosted children’s morale too.

 “It was a joyous morning as each child walkedin with their whānau to see the PJs and singlets laid out ready for them. ‘Mynew jammies are the same as my brother’s!’ and I love unicorns!’ were some comments.”

“There is a senseof pride in opening a fresh package - a joy too often overlooked unless youhave known hardship.”  

Social workers also described the impact on parents and caregivers: “From solo parents, mums escaping DV situations, young parents, foster families and families just going through a rough patch. Having something brand new for them to take home for their babies is a big deal. The smiles and genuine joy (and gratitude) are always so beautiful to watch!”

The PJ Project is just one part of what we do on top of our day-to-day supply of food, blankets, household goods and other essentials - but it’s a really special one. If you’re able to keep a little body warm through these cold winter nights, please donate now.