Knitters go warm and fuzzy for disadvantaged kids

18th July 2008

Knitters go warm and fuzzy for disadvantaged Kiwi kids

Nimble fingered New Zealanders have knitted an amazing 16,500 beanies to help keep disadvantaged Kiwi kids warm this winter.

Each year low decile schools across New Zealand report a drop in attendance at this time because some children just don't have sufficient warm clothing to protect them from the cold. For the past 7 months Kiwi men, women and children have taken up their knitting needles to help these kids in our own back yard.

Each year Knit World chooses a charity to benefit from the efforts of their kind hearted customers. Stores throughout the country have been encouraging shoppers to help KidsCan by knitting beanies for students on the charities waiting list for partner schools.

Julie Helson, General Manager of KidsCan says "The response to this appeal has been truly amazing. Basic clothing items like beanies and raincoats that kids take for granted are luxury items in low income families who are struggling to make ends meet with the rising cost of living. Children who don't have the winter clothing they need to keep them warm and dry arrive at school freezing and soaking wet and this affects their ability to learn. The cosy beanies from Knit World knitters will make a difference this winter for the children we support and the kids love them."

The KidsCan Charitable trust aims to level the playing field for New Zealand children living in poverty. The organization needs more cash support to meet the needs of the 18,000 children on its waiting list. Since it was formed 3 years ago the charity has distributed 24,000 free adidas All Blacks raincoats courtesy of Warehouse Stationery, 3,000 pairs of shoes courtesy of No 1 Shoes, 6,000 pairs of socks and 240,000 meals through its 3 programmes; Raincoats for Kids, Shoes for Kids and Food for Kids. The Trust currently assists students at 91 low decile schools from Kaitaia to Invercargill and has a further 95 on the waiting list, and this number rises weekly.

Visit www.kidscan.org.nz or for further information and interviews contact:

ENDS

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