Teen knits warmth and hope for babies in need

20Nov2024

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Year 9 student Mackenzie Carter has dedicated much of her year to knitting blankets with her grandmother for newborns in need.

Year 9 student Mackenzie Carter from St Stephen’s School has dedicated much of her year to knitting blankets with her grandmother, Marie Jack, for newborns in need at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH).

The duo’s knitted creations were donated to the Women and Infants Research Foundation’s Baby Bundles program, which provides essential babywear and blankets to babies born prematurely, in emergencies, or to mothers in desperate situations at KEMH.

Mackenzie’s project is part of The Rite Journey, an initiative at her school that encourages students to work with mentors on community-centred projects.

“The Rite Journey involves choosing a mentor and then working side-by-side with them on a project over the year,” Ms Carter said.

“I chose my Nan because she’s important to me. I picked knitting blankets for the Baby Bundles program after learning about the program from my mum’s friend Paula, who is a midwife at the hospital. I wanted to create something special for the babies.”

With knitting running deep in her family, Mackenzie is part of a long line of knitters.

"My great grandma taught my Nan, my Nan taught my mum, and my mum taught me.”

Inspired by this tradition, Ms Carter and her grandmother started working on the knitting project in March, selecting soft wool and vibrant colours for their blankets.

“I felt blessed that Mackenzie chose me as her mentor,” Mrs Jack said.

“It was really enjoyable working on this project. We knitted together, watched movies, and shared so many special moments. Every spare moment of Mackenzie’s time this year was spent knitting, and we’re thrilled with how the blankets have turned out. We hope they will be a beautiful treasure for years to come.”

Each Baby Bundle is thoughtfully crafted to meet the needs of families in need. A calico backpack is filled with essential items such as hand-knitted cardigans, onesies, singlets, a toy, nappies, cotton wraps, and a colourful blanket or rug.

These bundles are gifted to patients in need at KEMH through its social work team, offering both practical support and emotional comfort.

Women and Infants Research Foundation Chief Executive Officer Deb Portughes expressed gratitude for Mackenzie and Marie’s contribution.

“The birth of a baby is often a moment of joy, but it can also be a challenging time for many families,” Ms Portughes said.

“The Baby Bundles program provides not only essentials but also keepsakes that can offer comfort during a critical time.

“Mackenzie’s blankets are gorgeous. Thanks to her and Marie, these babies will have something beautiful and warm to keep them cosy. They’ve created something special that will leave a lasting impact on families across WA.”

Each year, the Baby Bundles program supports approximately 700 babies and mothers in crisis situations, providing essentials and keepsakes that offer both practical help and emotional comfort during a critical time.

Each Baby Bundle costs approximately $28 to produce, and the Women and Infants Research Foundation relies on donations and volunteers to continue offering this critical program.

As Christmas approaches, the Foundation encourages community members to support the initiative. Find out more here

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