At Affinity Education Group, we believe in having serious fun - the kind that brings people together, creates joy, and makes a real difference in our communities. Each year, our centres go above and beyond in their fundraising efforts, and 2025 was no exception.
During July’s National Pyjama Week, our centres were invited to choose their charity, selecting a cause close to their hearts and rallying their communities to raise funds. And in true Affinity style, our fundraising came with a twist: CEO Tim Hickey pledged to personally match the donation of the top fundraising centre in each state.
From bake sales to fun dress-up days, our educators, families, and children showed incredible generosity and team spirit.
Celebrating Our Fundraising Champions
Here’s a snapshot of the top fundraising centres and the causes they supported, with CEO-matched donations helping each make an even bigger difference:
| NSW | Papilio Castle Hill | McGrath Foundation | $1,633 |
| VIC | Milestones Cranbourne North | Pyjama Foundation | $1,277 |
| ACT | Papilio Bruce | Pyjama Foundation | $558 |
| QLD | Milestones Stanthorpe | Pyjama Foundation | $669 |
| WA | All WA Centres | Operation Sunshine WA | $1,500 |
| NT | All NT Centres | Foodbank SA/NT | $1,000 |
Total raised (including CEO donations): $6,637 across all states, and countless smiles along the way.
Spotlight on Operation Sunshine WA
One of the newest charities to join our fundraising family in 2025 was Operation Sunshine WA, a volunteer-run organisation helping women and children displaced by family and domestic violence or in the care of child protection services.
As Operation Sunshine WA Chairperson Leah Atkinson shared:
“Many women and children are displaced in traumatic circumstances with no more than the clothes on their backs. They need our help to ensure they have the essential and comfort items needed to provide for their day-to-day needs and give them a sense of dignity in a time of crisis. Operation Sunshine WA is deeply grateful for the kind and generous contributions made by Affinity’s community of Milestones Early Learning families and teams in WA.”
Our WA State Manager Kerri Kyte, alongside Area Manager Kylie Grant and Operations Manager Dawn Marrell, mobilised all WA centres as collection points for Sunshine Packs - backpacks filled with essential items for children in need.
Families and educators donated eagerly, resulting in 50 complete Sunshine Packs containing:
- Bottle
- Dummy
- Pyjamas
- Outfit
- Underwear
- Socks
- Soft toy
- Backpack
Additional donations included nappies, wipes, towels, baby blankets, and toiletries, all delivered with care and love.
A Shared Commitment
“Our teams created collection baskets in their foyers and led donation drives within their services,” said Kerri.
“As a state we managed to create 50 Sunshine Pack backpacks, and we really enjoyed completely connecting for such an important cause.”
From WA’s Sunshine Packs to NSW’s breast cancer fundraising and VIC’s Pyjama Foundation support, these efforts are more than just charity events, they’re a living expression of our Affinity values.
Add Your Support
Our fundraising may have wrapped up for this year, but these incredible charities welcome donations year-round:
- Operation Sunshine WA
- The Pyjama Foundation
- McGrath Foundation
- Foodbank SA/NT
- Starlight Children's Foundation
- Althea Projects
- Got your Back Sista
- Bears of Hope
- Central Coast Kids in Need
Affinity Education Group is proud to support our people in making a difference, because when we combine serious fun with serious heart, there’s no limit to the impact we can have.