By Casey Neill
Knitters filled the Silvan Hall with hand-made toys and clothing bound for war-ravaged Syria.
Aussies Knitting for War-Affected Kids members from around Australia had been sending their finished woollen pieces to a co-ordinator in Belgrave South.
A small team converged on the hall last Wednesday 29 August to sort through the garments and toys, and package them for children in need.
“Last year we shipped over 700 hand knits,” Marg Willis from Ferny Creek said.
“This year we expect to nearly double that number.”
The Australian Syrian Association Victorian branch will transport and distribute the items.
“Many of our knitters are regular prize winners at shows around the country,” Ms Willis said.
“You’re always looking for somewhere for it to go, to do some good.
“Syrian winters are brutal and these children are usually living in tents.
“Generally their only source of warmth is kerosene heaters so it is important to use natural fibres that will not melt if they come into contact with a flame.”
Liz Irving made the trip over from Adelaide to prepare the shipment.
The project started with a message to an online knitting group.
She was heading to Kurdistan for work and had room in her suitcase.
“People are generous and caring and feel that they want to express care for kids in other parts of the world who have suffered so greatly,” Ms Irving said.
“This is a tangible way that they can do that.
“We are a group that’s been going for about 15 months.”
Last year they prepared the shipment from a member’s Belgrave South home.
“In the 10 months since then we have just snowballed,” she said.
“We needed more space. “We wanted to get together as a group to sort it, and to put it on display.”
They invited community groups, including Silvan Primary School, to take a look at their work and hear their story.
“These kids have suffered terribly,” Ms Irving said.
“They deserve our very best efforts now.”
Visit www.akwak.org to get involved.
