A group of keen knitters is helping keep underprivileged children warm this winter. Back are Audrey O’Shea, Marie Dorn and Mary Litchfield, middle are Regina West, Heather McDougall, Helen Duncan and front is Nell Williams.
By Rebecca Fraser
A BAND of dedicated knitters have created more than 2000 gifts of warmth and hope to help some of the world’s poorest children keep warm this winter.
Close to 150 generous garment makers have become Guardian Angels this season and are knitting up a storm as part of an annual program run by World Vision and Guardian Pharmacies.
Knitters from near and far have presented box loads of hand-made children’s clothing at Guardian’s Berwick Pharmacy, located at Parkhill Plaza in recent weeks, with 2000 items already destined for Mongolia.
The Guardian Knitting Program equips keen knitters with a free pattern book and garment makers are presented with a Guardian Angel Lapel pin following their first donation.
This is the fourth year that the Berwick Pharmacy has run the successful knitting program and staff said it was not only women who contributed to the project.
Pharmacy workers said it was often dedicated husbands and partners who dropped off the finished items, and added that some knitters even individually wrapped up the children’s clothing in cellophane in preparation for the long trip.
About 12,000 items are knitted in Victoria each year as part of the national program and Berwick Pharmacy staff said they had been overwhelmed by the community response.
Knitters produce a range of items including blankets, jumpers, caps and booties with many choosing to produce complete outfits to help keep children warm from head to toe.
The band of knitters use all of their own wool and even people who do not knit can help bring warmth to families in Mongolia by making a donation at the counter of their local Guardian Pharmacy.
Pharmacy staff and the band of loyal knitters have also urged people to donate wool and this too can be dropped off at the pharmacy at Parkhill Plaza.
This year’s program runs from 1 June to 31 August and avid Narre Warren knitter Heather McDougall has already made a huge donation after knitting 140 items in the past 18 months.
The 72-year-old grandmother said the program was a very worthwhile cause and it was very rewarding for all involved.
“Knitting, crocheting and sewing, I do the lot. It is very relaxing and rewarding.
“My friend lost her mother last year and she gave me two big green garbage bags full of wool. It is all gone. I knitted it all up. I do it every night in front of the television and I would much rather do this than give money as you do not know where it goes,” she said.
Pharmacy worker Regina West said knitters came from Dandenong, Springvale and all over Casey as well as travelling from Brighton to donate the items.
“These women knit profusely and we are always overwhelmed by how many garments come through,” she said.
Ms West said they would soon hold a morning tea to thank all of the knitters.
To make a wool, garment or cash donation go to Guardian’s Parkhill Plaza Pharmacy, Shop 2, Parkhill Junction Plaza, Parkhill Drive, Berwick.
