Knitting up a storm for Barnardos

WI president June Swann with the collection of children's clothes for Barnardos. PICTURE / PAUL BROOKS

The Aramoho Women's Institute is strong and active and giving.
Their latest in a long line of projects is a collection of clothing and blankets, some knitted or made by the Institute members, or purchased during bargain hunting expeditions in Whanganui and Palmerston North, and it's all destined for children in Barnardos' care. At a recent count they had 17 pairs of pyjamas, 13 stretch & grows, six T-shirts, seven pairs of bedsocks, 21 beanies, five sets of baby beanies and booties, five pairs of booties, 16 knitted jerseys, a shirt and pants set, three jackets, 10 sweat tops, three sweat jackets, five pairs of leggings, six pairs of track pants, two pairs of trousers/jeans, five pairs of shoes, 28 pairs of socks, 15 singlets, 22 pairs of knickers, seven blankets, one pair of gloves and a scarf, with a total value of more than $1500. All of it is destined for the comfort of babies and children up to 10 years old, says Institute president, June Swann.
"We did this for Barnardos last year," she says, "and the Federation chose it again this year, so each of the six institutes are doing something. The girls worked hard. They started last October." Aramoho Women's Institute has 39 members and is renowned for its charity work. They meet monthly at the Masonic Lodge rooms in Dublin St, where they enjoy friendship, a common purpose and, often, a guest speaker or entertainer. The knitwear was handed over to Barnardos on Tuesday.