‘Mothers in Pyjamas’ - Mums and families to pyjama-up and Zoom in this Mother’s Day for homeless families

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This Mother’s Day, Mission Australia is encouraging families and Mums to forgo their daytime outfits, and instead don pyjamas, stay home and go virtual to raise funds that will support homeless families and those facing tough times in the Coronavirus era.

By spending the day in pyjamas - the preferred pandemic outfit of many - loved ones can join Mission Australia’s Mothers in Pyjamas initiative to fundraise for the charity while celebrating the mother figures in their lives, wherever they may be. Zoom pyjama parties and PJ-clad Skype calls or FaceTime sessions are encouraged as Mission Australia calls for families to get involved and give their Mums the ultimate gift of love and hope for another family in need.

Mission Australia CEO James Toomey said: “Mother’s Day will certainly look different for all of us this year in the age of physical distancing. But as many isolate at home, so many of us can’t truly understand what it’s like to be homeless, particularly during this pandemic.

Our Mothers in Pyjamas fundraising experience is an opportunity for everyday families and individuals to connect in quirky and memorable ways, while also extending care and generosity to those who are vulnerable and who may not have a safe place to call home. It’s a great way to get the family involved in a unique but heart-warming Mother’s Day gift that makes a difference, while also giving Mum and the whole family a reason to stay in pyjamas all day.

With 116,000 people who are homeless in Australia, including 44,000 children and young people, homelessness rates are rising and are set to increase due to the impacts of COVID-19, largely due to rental stress, growing unemployment rates and a shortage of social and affordable homes. There’s never been a more critical time to donate and support charities on the frontline, like Mission Australia.

Mr Toomey continued: “We also hope this fundraising opportunity spurs conversation and consideration among family members and our communities about the plight of people who are homeless or vulnerable, which can arm everyone for further action and advocacy.

“As a charity with a focus on reducing homelessness and strengthening communities, we are very concerned about the impact of this public health crisis on people and families who are homeless or who are at risk of being pushed into homelessness. More needs to be done to ensure that people are looked after, safely and appropriately housed and are able to receive support from the community services they need.

“To support people experiencing homelessness to stay well, reduce the spread of the virus and ultimately end homelessness, appropriate accommodation must be available, right across our country.

“We’d love for as many children (young and old), mums, dads, carers, uncles, aunties, grandparents and friends as possible to partner with us in our ultimate goal of ending homelessness by participating in a virtual pyjama party for Mother’s Day this year. When you donate to Mission Australia, you’re investing a seed of hope in the lives of those who are homeless or vulnerable in our community,” said Mr Toomey.

For more information and to register for Mission Australia’s ‘Mothers in Pyjamas’ visit: https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/pyjamas

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