YARNZ Whanganui is a knitting group - a strong core of dedicated knitters who produce garments and knitted goods for charity.
Last Wednesday, in a well-attended occasion at the Women's Network in St Hill St, they announced their chosen charity of the year - Jigsaw Whanganui.
YARNZ has grown out of the Kelly Scarrow-led Gonville Knitting Group based at the Gonville Library and Cafe. Over the years that group has worked tirelessly for charities and organisations that needed their help: Tawhero, Castlecliff and Aramoho schools, Plunket, Birthright Whanganui, Women's Network and Women's Refuge. Several thousand garments were made by the loving hands of this talented group of people.
When Kelly changed jobs last year, leaving the Gonville Library for the Mainstreet office in Ridgway St, it was decided that the original group had outgrown its space and that a second location would be needed. Up stepped Carla Donson who offered a large room at the Women's Network, based in the Ladies Rest building next to the Royal Whanganui Opera House.
Now there are two inspired, dedicated knitting groups. Gonville continues in a new direction, working more specifically within their own community, but still available to assist with charitable projects when able.