Eleven-year-old twins Grace and Lilyana Musca had never spent time in hospital when they decided to organise a pyjama day at Hocking Primary School to raise money for sick children earlier this year.
“The girls said that the idea of wearing pyjamas for a gold coin donation came about because kids who are sick need to spend time in hospital in their pyjamas,” mum Kathleen Musca said.
In an uncanny twist, Grace was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in early April. This prompted the girls — along with friend Millie Schook — to direct proceeds from the PJ day to type 1 diabetes research at the Children’s Diabetes Centre at the Telethon Kids Institute.
The school — approximately 620 students and 60 staff — raised an impressive $946 simply by wearing their PJs for a gold coin donation.
Grace, who is managing her diabetes well, said she had a better understanding of raising money for research following her diagnosis.
“Too many children get sick and we are raising money for them,” she said.
“I’m not sick, I’m just doing my pancreas’ job for it.
“I hope that raising money will one day help make that job easier for everyone with diabetes."
Thank you for your generosity Grace, Lilyana, Millie and the staff and students at Hocking Primary School!
Above: Millie Schook, Grace Musca, Steve Hardingham, Alyssa Hardingham and Lilyana Musca. Below: Hocking Primary Students embrace PJ Day!
First published Tuesday 18 June 2019.