Here’s a good yarn: Knitters, generous with their time and gifts for victims
The Crafting Ladies of the McKenzie Lifestyle Village in Geraldine South Canterbury, are residents with a cause.
The 15-20 or so women, who partake in the group voluntarily give their time to knitting blankets, hats and buying toys
for young children who are victims of crime, domestic violence or road trauma.
Their eldest member is 93-years-old.
As residents of the lifestyle village they can meet one or two times a week in the afternoons for a knitting social.
So far Timaru Police have received 199 parcels from the women.
“The Crafting Ladies package their work up, and then deliver them to the Timaru Police for distributing to deserving
children.
They purchase the small toys and the plastic bags themselves for each pack, says Inspector Dave Gaskin, Area Commander
South Canterbury.
They don’t ask for anything in return for the packs, it is all done from the kindness of their hearts, and as their
label suggests ‘Hand made by the crafting ladies’, there is a little red heart on each of their pieces.
“At the moment Police drop these toys locally, however we are looking to extend this service to other areas in
Canterbury where there is also some need. The plan is to keep the knitted packs in the rear of the patrol vehicles so
they can be handed out when staff see a need for them at a job they attend.”
I think it’s delightful what these ladies do, says Inspector Gaskin. We really appreciate their effort and contribution.
This gives a little bit of hope and comfort to children in our community and it allows us to distribute these lovely
gifts to children in need.”
ENDS