Every fortnight a group of our Village residents meet to knit up a storm in support of Wrap with Love.
Wrap with Love has been operating now for 25 years – in fact, they’ll be celebrating their 25th birthday from 26-28 May. It was founded in 1992 by the late Sonia Gidley-King OAM, who wanted to find a way to help people affected by war and natural disasters. Sonia called in her network of friends to start knitting squares that could then be sewn into wraps to provide warmth and comfort to people who had lost most or all of their possessions. The group’s first shipment of 38 wraps was sent to war-torn Mozambique – and so the volunteer group Wrap with Love was born, with a mission of “helping to save cold humanity”.
Joy Grace, one of the founders of Banksia’s Wrap With Love group
Joy Grace, one of Banksia’s newer residents, has been a keen volunteer for Wrap with Love for 20 years. When Joy moved in to the Village, she was eager to meet new friends and continue using her crafting skills. She and another of our residents, Beverley Burnes, decided to start a Wrap with Love group here at Banksia, and the group has been meeting every fortnight since September last year. Says Joy, “It’s a wonderful way to socialise and do something worthwhile for people who really need help.”
So far, the Banksia “Wrappers” have completed around 20 wraps, donating most of them to Wrap with Love for distribution to those in need both here in Australia and overseas. A few of these beautiful rugs have even been donated for our Banksia Lodge residents.
It’s amazing how quickly the rugs can be knitted (or crocheted) up, and perhaps even more amazing how many different ways there are to knit a square! The group buys much of the wool they use, but often receives donations of yarn which are always put to good use. The finished rugs are stunning and, best of all, made with love and a desire to help others less fortunate.
Beverley, co-founder of Banksia’s Wrap With Love group, with Margaret working on a new wrap
If you’d like to find out more about Wrap with Love, you can visit their website at www.wrapwithlove.org.
And of course we’d like to wish Wrap With Love Inc and all their volunteers a very happy 25th birthday.
Keep up the great work!