Keeping newborns warm with knit-kits
TAMARA THORN Pregnancy Help Taupo¯ is launching a new initiative for those that love to knit.
Woollen items are always popular when it comes to staving off the winter chills.
With this in mind Pregnancy Help Taupo¯ is launching a new programme to encourage people to knit for newborn and premature babies, to keep them warm.
Volunteer Debbie Hamilton said in the last month 1185 items have been given out, with the majority of those being woollen.
She said with demand for woollen clothing increasing it was only logical to start ‘knitkits’, a kit providing wool and patterns for people to make.
‘‘We are provided with wool and a pattern or you can use your own,’’ said Hamilton.
‘‘There is no limit as to how many kits you can do...it’s all to keep our babies warm.’’
With this new initiative knitters can knit at no cost and also give back to the community by helping supply items for the Pregnancy Help parcels.
‘‘We hope that these kits encourage more people to knit because it is not going to cost them,’’ she said.
Hamilton said the initiative would start on June 18 in conjunction with Volunteers Week.
‘‘Volunteers Week is coming up and it’s cool to recognise it at this time of year...without volunteers none of this would be possible.’’
Every week Pregnancy Help volunteers are putting together a minimum of 10 parcels for families, something Hamilton expects will grow over winter.
‘‘We love adding knitted items to the parcels as it gives a handmade touch that you otherwise wouldn’t get,’’ she said.
Hamilton said the wool has been purchased through donation from the Lions Foundation and without donations the organisation would not function.