For Melbourne-based confectionery manufacturer, Dollar Sweets, raising public awareness about celebrating National Fairy Bread Day on 24 November means supporting their charity partner, The Pyjama Foundation.
With more than 48,000 children currently in foster care across the country, The Pyjama Foundation is dedicated to providing educational and emotional support, with a key purpose to help break the cycle of disadvantage experienced by children in care. Through early intervention, support and mentoring, Bronwyn Sheehan OAM, Founder and CEO of The Pyjama Foundation, says children in care can change their life trajectory.
In 2023, Dollar Sweets raised $34,917.20 for The Pyjama Foundation last year and helped welcome 23 new mentors into the organisation’s Love of Learning Program. This year, the company has its sights set even higher, driven by a wish to encourage more people to donate generously to help make an even more significant impact on the lives of foster children.
The Love of Learning initiative recruits volunteers, known as ‘Pyjama Angels’, who are screened, trained and then matched with a child in care. Each volunteer mentor spends one hour each week with the children to read, write, and draw. The guidance helps build the young people’s confidence and life skills, empowering them to reach their full potential.
Better educational consistency for kids in care
“Consistency is key to helping children build trust, confidence, and stability in their learning journey. For foster children, who may face disrupted home and school environments, a consistent approach to education is crucial for them to feel secure and supported, enabling them to thrive and reach their full potential,” Sheehan told EducationDaily about the important role that Pyjama Angel mentors play in the lives of children in care.
“This regular, one-on-one time helps create a consistent, stable, and encouraging environment for the child, fostering a love of learning and supporting their educational journey.
Sheehan says Fairy Bread Day is “a fun and simple way for communities to come together and raise awareness and funds for our program”.
“The funds raised will go directly towards training more Pyjama Angels and expanding our reach to support more children in care. Every dollar raised brings us closer to providing consistent, ongoing support for foster children, giving them the chance to experience the joy and stability they deserve.”
With many children in care being of school-going age,” Sheehan told EducationDaily that “each of these children deserves consistent support and care to help them thrive academically and emotionally”
“A weekly visit from a Pyjama Angel supports literacy, numeracy, and a genuine love for learning in a child’s life.”
Sheehan told EducationDaily that members of the public keen to support the Pyjama Foundation can apply to become a volunteer Pyjama Angel mentor, get involved in fundraising events like Fairy Bread Day, or simply donate directly.
“Every action, no matter how small, helps us provide consistent, ongoing support to children in foster care, enabling them to dream big and reach their full potential,” she says.
Add a sprinkle of generosity this November
Managing Director of Dollar Sweets Miranda Higgins says fairy bread has been the ultimate Australian birthday party treat for generations and describes it as “the essence of fun and family, which is why it’s such a great symbol for what Fairy Bread Day is all about – enjoying a nostalgic slice while supporting Aussie kids through tough times”.
“On a personal level, and as a family business, that’s a cause close to our hearts,” Higgins told EducationDaily, adding that she’d love to see families, schools and community groups plan their involvement on the day.
Throughout November, Dollar Sweets will donate 10 cents from every sale of their 100s and 1000s sprinkles to support The Pyjama Foundation’s mission, embracing a brighter future for the next generation.
“We hope to bring awareness and raise funds for some of the great organisations out there providing much-needed support to the community. The money raised this year will go directly towards The Pyjama Foundation and their Pyjama Angel mentoring program, which provides Australian kids in foster care with one-on-one, in-home support.”
Sheehan highlights a grim statistic that, every hour in Australia, “two vulnerable children enter the care system”.
“Your generous support allowed us to match 23 vulnerable children with their own life-changing Pyjama Angel mentor last year. A huge thank you to Dollar Sweets and the Australian community for supporting children in foster care through Fairy Bread Day.”
