77 children a day are being hospitalised for preventable diseases due to poor sleeping environments.

These are the figures from the charity Variety which says nearly 28,000 children every year are sleeping on couches, floors or are sharing mouldy mattresses.

The charity says bad sleeping environments mean children are more likely to contract preventable illnesses like rheumatic fever or bronchiolitis - which can have long lasting health implications.

Variety Chief Executive Susan Glasgow told Kate Hawkesby these statistics are shocking.

She says their dream beds campaign aims to address real need for children's beds in the community.

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77 children a day are being hospitalised for preventable diseases due to poor sleeping environments.
These are the figures from the charity Variety which says nearly 28,000 children every year are sleeping on couches, floors or are sharing mouldy mattresses.
The charity says bad sleeping environments mean children are more likely to contract preventable illnesses like rheumatic fever or bronchiolitis - which can have long lasting health implications.
Variety Chief Executive Susan Glasgow told Kate Hawkesby these statistics are shocking.
She says their dream beds campaign aims to address real need for children's beds in the community.
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.