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When Canterbury retirement village resident Jan Marshall watched a TV news story earlier this year about Dame Valerie Adams rallying her 'Jammie Army', she was inspired to help children in her town.
The Jammie Army’s goal was to make sure every child who came through the doors of Kidz First Children's Hospital in Auckland went home in a warm pair of pyjamas.
Dame Valerie was seeking help to get 25,000 pairs for 25,000 kids.
Moved by it, Jan thought that if they could do that there, then what about doing the same thing right here in Rangiora?
The retired schoolteacher who now lives at the Bainswood on Victoria - Rangiora Lifecare rest home quickly formulated a plan and approached her church for help.
“I set up the 'June Jammies' as a fun but community-based idea to get maybe 50 sets of pyjamas for children in need here. She has given them to the Hope Community Trust to distribute.
She started her appeal in early May, standing up at her St John's Anglican Church to talk about ‘June Jammies’ and invite people to donate pyjamas for children.
Gail Kerse, manager of the Rangiora Lifecare facility, got right behind Jan and contacted other facilities in the area.
“Word spread quickly, and despite Jan only thinking she might get between 30 and 50 sets, she has received more than 90 sets to date, and they are still coming in.
"We all watched in amazement one day when Jan came back from church with her ride-on scooter fully loaded with sets.
"Her little dog Poppy had to ride in her lap because the bins were loaded up with pyjamas.”
Jan says she has been very pleased with the response and enjoyed handing over the donated pyjamas - plus a few onesies, dressing gowns and bed socks - to the Hope Community Trust this month.