Bank of beddie-byes?

Bank of Queensland’s Busselton staff have turned the branch into a makeshift bedroom today, donning pyjamas for the cause of helping hospitalised children recover faster.

The team was supporting the launch of BOQ’s annual nationwide Banking on our Kids appeal, which sought to get sick children in hospitals through their conditions and back to familiar surroundings.

In eight years, the month-long campaign has raised more than $1million and the 2012 goal was to surpass $300,000 throughout the country.

Branch manager David Roper, who has been at the bank for three months, said dressing down was a fun activity for the team but carried a serious message.

“Sick kids in hospital aren’t just battling illnesses; they’re also battling home-sickness,” he said. “Every kid wants to be at home getting tucked into their own bed and surrounded by their own toys.”

All funds raised go towards Children’s Hospital Foundations Australia, a partnership of major capital city children’s hospitals which have had on average more than 50 per cent of admissions from regional areas in the past year.

Donations can be made at the branch during July.