Quiltmaker’s pattern of giving

It started with a single stitch; a quilt made with love for her mother.

When Miriam Sullivan, 92, moved into Seaview Rest Home in Picton, her treasured quilt, made by daughter Maria Bowden, came too.

The quilt was much admired and the talented seamstress spent the next nine months creating 31 more for all the other residents.

Her selfless gesture saw the Picton grandmother of eight awarded a 2019 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Award on Wednesday.

Bowden was one of 11 people to be recognised for their achievements.

The annual awards honour people who make a positive contribution in the region they live in.

Bowden, 65, said when she first got an email confirming she had won, she had brushed it off as a scam.

‘‘I thought, ‘in your dreams’ and then just ignored it. I met someone else who’d been nominated and only then realised it was a bona fide website. There are people who do a lot more than me but I loved making them [the quilts]. They’re a special hug from me,’’ she said.

As part of the awards, winners were presented with medals to officially recognise their achievements at a glitzy ceremony held at the Marlborough Convention Centre in Blenheim.

Bowden, who took up quilting in her fifties, said she had created a quilt in honour of her mother’s Irish heritage.

‘‘All my aunties are good with their hands and do needlecraft. Quilting was something I thought I’d just try.

‘‘Mum had it on her bed and everyone loved it. I saw how homely it looked and thought I’d make one for everyone. It was selfish really as I wanted to try out different patterns.

‘‘I get the warm fuzzies. I like that they have something to snuggle into and during their last days when families are gathered around their bed for the last time, I like to think it might make a small difference,’’ she said.

Ward councillor Mark Peters attended the ceremony.

‘‘Our local heroes demonstrate the acts of charity, commitment and selflessness which is what holds a community together,’’ he said.