Balclutha women’s woollen work gained extra impetus this winter with the war in Ukraine.
Operation Cover Up is a national volunteer network run by registered charity Missions Without Borders, with more than 3000 knitters in local groups throughout New Zealand.
The groups forward handmade and donated goods to their Auckland headquarters where the knitted necessities are pressed into bales for shipment, via Holland to Romania, to be sorted and distributed to Albania, Bosnia› Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine.
Two containers arrive from New Zealand each year, freight costing about $16,000 each.
Operation Cover Up began in Balclutha in June 2018 and meets at Balclutha Presbyterian Hall from 2›4pm Saturdays to knit, plus share afternoon tea and each other’s company. There are 19 members, two of whom already worked with the Mosgiel branch for many years. Co›ordinator Errin Hamlyn said all were welcome to join.
‘‘Our ladies come from all walks of life and it’s a great place to relax and do some good work. Last year, Balclutha branch donated 22 blankets, 58 sets of scarfs, gloves and beanies and other knitted items. A generous donation helped us immensely to buy wool, but we know this year the need is greater because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and we’re always grateful for donations of pure four›ply or double›knit wool,’’ she said.
Mrs Hamlyn said there was also an urgent need for toiletries for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees flooding into Romania and Moldova, and the group aimed to send soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, deodorant, face›cloths, shaving and sanitary items also.
Operation Cover Up’s next container leaves Auckland on June 22. Donations of knitting and hygiene supplies are gratefully received at Johnstone Electrical, 60, Clyde St, Balclutha until June 17.
‘Our ladies come from all walks of life and it’s a great place to relax and do some good work.’
