Pyjamas, jocks and socks are the focus of Big Group Hug’s March campaign, aimed at providing new children’s sleepwear and underwear to kids who are going without.
Now in its seventh year, ‘PJs, Jocks and Socks’ is a goods drive that collects new pyjamas, underwear, socks and singlets for children aged two to 16 through community donations.
Last year’s campaign received 6400 items that have all been handed out to families in need, with this year’s goal to collect 10,000 items.
Big Group Hug marketing coordinator Emina Mesinovic said while a significant part of the charity’s work was to collect and re-distribute used items, the campaign placed the focus on brand new children’s clothes.
“We are so grateful to our community for passing on their pre-loved children’s items, enabling us to help families in need whilst keeping tons out of landfill,” she said.
“Underwear and sleepwear we like to be able to provide new, and the need is great. Every child deserves love and dignity.”
The community is invited to host their own goods drives to collect underwear and socks on their own, while anyone willing to donate new items is encouraged to give what they can regardless of price.
People can also donate by ordering clothes through online retailers and addressing them as ‘PJs Jocks & Socks – Big Group Hug’ directly to the charity’s warehouse at 5/19 Enterprise Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3083.
There are currently 16 donation locations across Melbourne’s northern suburbs, and anyone can register to set up a collection point.
For more information on the campaign, including other ways to donate, visit pjjs.biggrouphug.org.
