Sewing with a purpose

A NEW Surf Coast sewing group producing essentials for newborn babies and rescued wildlife has fulfilled its first order for charity.

Sewing with a Purpose had its first meeting at the Anglesea Community House in February where the inaugural group of five women helped complete a request for 300 bags for the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

The bags are destined for the paediatric ward of the RCH and will contain info packs for parents and books for children, among other essentials.

Group convenor Deb Elliot received the request for the bags from a paediatric care nurse at the RCH she first met through the Helping our Hospital Heroes Australia (HOHHA), a Rotary Australia initiative set up during the pandemic to provide additional PPE to front line hospital staff.

It’s through the HOHHA program that Ms Elliott managed to tap her network of volunteers from around the country to help fill the order for 300 bags at the RCH, and one she plans to call on again in future projects.

Sewing with a Purpose are also making joey and possum pouches for wildlife rescuers on the Surf Coast, quilts for Geelong Mums and after completing the RCH bags order are on the look out for other opportunities from needy and likeminded organisations.

Until then, Ms Elliott said “we’re going back to making wraps made out of flannelette or muslin” for RCH newborn babies.

“It’s all about getting community engaged and hopefully attracting more sewers,” she said.

The next meeting is at Anglesea Community House on Monday, March 21, at 1pm.