Beanies knit team together

Little ones will be snug and warm in Otara on cold winter nights, thanks to the nimble fingers of volunters in Beanies for Babies.

More than 80 woollen beanies hand-knitted by Manukau Institute of Technology volunteers over the past six weeks have been given to the Otara Budgeting Service to help families in need.

It all started when the service’s treasurer Margaret Doyle, who also happens to be head of business services at MIT, asked a colleague to knit a beanie for a baby who needed more warm clothing.

From there the knitting project snowballed.

"A number of other MIT colleagues also became interested and got knitting too – men, women and even keen novices," Mrs Doyle says.

"I arrive at my office at MIT some days to find a fresh batch of colourful beanies. I have been absolutely overwhelmed with the response. People have really got into the spirit of it."

MIT academic operations director Peter Quigg says the project has been a good opportunity to support a worthwhile initiative.

"It’s great to see other male colleagues getting in behind the fantastic people who work hard to assist where they can."

Otara Budgeting Service manager Tai Tupa says the service helps more than 4500 residents each year and sees many families in need.

"There are at least 50 mums and babies in desperate need so we’re rapt we can give these to them."

And the volunteers won’t be stopping at beanies.

They’ve already started on Blankets for Babies in preparation for next winter and will be knitting small woollen squares to make into blankets.

"It’s lovely to be able to use a valuable but waning skill, knowing that it will make a small, positive difference for someone," Mrs Doyle says.

Anyone interested in taking part in Blankets for Babies can call her on 968-7732 or email her at margaret. doyle@manukau.ac.nz.

Donations of wool and knitting needles will be gladly received at the MIT faculty of business reception. Patterns will be available for those who would like to make a square to fit the blanket sizes.

- © Fairfax NZ News