Horowhenua women knit boxes of clothing destined for Russian orphanages

Levin woman Josie Taylor, 90, hand stitched boxes of beanies and cardigans for Russian orphanages.

When Levin woman Josie Taylor was a little girl her grandmother taught her how to knit.

Since then Taylor, 90, has knitted hundreds of garments for her own children and grandchildren, and now she is knitting boxes of colourful garments to help clothe Russian orphans.

Taylor was part of a group of Horowhenua women supporting the To Russia With Love project who had packed boxes of knitted clothing bound for children in need.

Of the stunning array of knitted garments folded neatly for packaging, Taylor's contribution stood out as it covered an entire table.

She had knitted 37 beanies, 12 slippers, seven cardigans, three rugs, a jersey and a matching cardigan and hat that would join the other garments stacked in more than 25 boxes packaged and labelled ready to be sent aboard.

"I live on my own. You just like to help out, don't you," she said.

There was a growing group of knitters that had contributed to To Russia With Love, co-ordinated by the local branch of Grey Power working alongside Lions.

Local organiser Diane Hemmingsen said the To Russia With Love project originally began by a couple who had adopted two Russian orphans and were appalled at the state of the orphanages they had visited.

Hemmingsen said there was a container in Auckland ready for shipment. Clothing items were first sent by container to Holland before being transported by road to Romania, Moldova, Ukraine ... "wherever the need is greatest".

There were an estimated 600,000 orphans in Russia alone.

Some of the knitting that will be sent to help clothe Russian orphans.

She said items needed were long-sleeved Jerseys, cardigans, socks, three-piece sets of hats with gloves or mittens and scarf, knitwear for ages 2 years and older, and blankets and sewn quilts (minimum size 140cm x 160cm).

"But no baby wear please," she said.

If anyone was able to help with this project or provide knitting yarn they could contact Diane Hemmingsen on (06) 367 0300.