Former first minister, Jack McConnell and George Foulkes MSP have donned their pyjamas to demonstrate their support of the New Pyjamas Campaign for Scotland’s new children's hospital to be built in Edinburgh.

The new campaign has been established to raise £15 million for the new hospital, helping to make it a centre for excellence in Scotland. Organisers hope that with the help of Mr McConnell and Mr Foulkes, many others will support the campaign.

Jack McConnell MSP said: “It is essential that we have a new national Sick Kids Hospital here in Edinburgh that is equipped to deal with the demands of 21st century paediatric healthcare. Over 100,000 children are treated at the hospital every year.

The parliamentarians are also hosting a reception later this month for politicians across Scotland to emphasise the hospital’s national importance.

A quarter of children treated come from outside the Lothians, many for specialised treatment, which cannot be obtained anywhere else in the country.

Mr Foulkes said: “This event is about raising awareness and getting people on board to support our sick kids. All MSPs have been invited to wear an item of pyjamas in show of their support for the campaign and to hear all about how we can help the new pyjamas campaign.”

Among those attending the reception will be children and families who have benefited from the exceptional healthcare available at Sick Kids.

The new pyjamas campaign will fund equipment and services that are not covered by standard NHS budgets, including capital equipment at the forefront of paediatric healthcare, which will, in turn, attract the very best medical practitioners to the Sick Kids.

Elaine McGonigle, director of the campaign said: “Encouraging everyone to get involved is what this is all about: a simple but important message delivered in a fun and friendly way.”