Operation Coverup keeps on warming winter

August is the month for ‘Operation Coverup’ knitters to collate their efforts and send them off to Eastern Europe, just in time for the onset of the northern hemisphere winter.

The active group of knitters in Martinborough meet at Wharekaka once or twice a month; lots of knitting and chatting makes for twice the benefit in that residents who join in make new friends and have a great afternoon.

The blankets and knitted garments – all hand-made – were displayed recently and made a lovely sight on a cold afternoon. This year, apart from the traditional ‘peggy stripe’ blankets, several of the group have been creating lovely scarves, hats and gloves; all in multi colours. These are very popular with the children in the Ukraine as most live in orphanages which are not well heated.

Operation Coverup, a part of the ‘Mission Without Borders’ organisation, was started twelve years ago by Taupo woman Liz Clarke after she read about the desperately cold conditions in orphanages in Moldova. It has spread throughout New Zealand and Australia. Knitters from nearly 100 towns in New Zealand contribute their efforts each year to fill three shipping containers, which are then transported overseas for distribution.

Donations of unwanted wool, garments to unpick or money to help with shipping costs are very welcome. And if you like knitting, that’s good too!
For more information please phone Barbara Cox 306 9934.