Friends of Ashburton Hospital, Tuarangi Home volunteers and members of the public have been knitting garments for Mid Canterbury’s youngest residents.
Twenty-seven knitters have this year been part of the Warm Baby, Safe Baby initiative which is part of the international Safe Sleep programme. The Friends have been part of the initiative for four years.
This year 225 singlets, 85 beanies and 125 blankets have been created for babies born at the Ashburton Maternity Unit.
Friends convener of volunteers Jackie Rapley said some of the volunteers had been knitting booties for more than 20 years.
‘‘The midwives of the maternity unit identified a need for machine washable 100 per cent wool pepi pod blankets, singlets and beanies. The goods are used in the unit and then sent home with the newborn,’’ Rapley said.
Having the goods made out of 100 per cent wool is vital as babies don’t shiver parents aren’t always aware babies are cold.
Friends secretary and knitter Lorraine Kershaw said they had been fortunate that Advance Ashburton Community Foundation through the Alan Robertson Fund have supported them to purchase wool for the knitters.
Ashburton Community Maternity Unit midwife manager Julie Dockrill said the staff were truly appreciative of all the time and effort the participants put in.
‘‘The woollen products ensure that they keep our pepi/babies safe and warm. The lovely gifts also provide a connection for the pepi/baby with the community before they even leave the unit. I like to call it our circle of love as its one generation in the community caring for another,’’ Dockrill said.
The families love receiving the donated goods, often feeling overwhelmed that these goods have been made for the little ones. For the knitters and the unit there is satisfaction in knowing these goods help the babies have the best and safest start to life.
Along with the knitting the Friends of Ashburton provide care to patients in hospital through their weekday morning tea service and assisting in other areas of patient care such as providing a library service and taking patients to chapel services.
