Throughout June and July, Western Australians demonstrated the extraordinary difference a caring community can make.
Through 102.5 ABC Perth’s Knitting for Newborns campaign, listeners picked up their knitting needles, shared their stories, donated essential items and rallied behind the Women and Infants Research Foundation’s (WIRF) Baby Bundles and Women’s Care Packages programs. What began as a simple invitation from ABC Perth Afternoons host Jo Trilling quickly grew into a remarkable community movement, celebrating generosity, compassion and connection.
In just six weeks, the campaign inspired around 200 handmade knitted and crocheted items, including blankets, cardigans, and teddies, hundreds of donated essential items such as nappies, wraps, onesies, and toiletries for mothers, and raised more than $3000 to support vulnerable mothers and babies across Western Australia.
The campaign not only raised awareness of the Baby Bundles and Women’s Care Packages programs and the support they provide to vulnerable mothers and babies at King Edward Memorial Hospital but also gave families an opportunity to share their experiences and reflect on the profound impact that simple acts of kindness can have during challenging times.
It also shone a spotlight on the people at the heart of WIRF’s work, including the dedicated healthcare professionals caring for women, babies and families, the researchers driving discoveries to improve health outcomes, and the volunteers whose support makes programs such as Baby Bundles and Women’s Care Packages possible.
The campaign culminated in a Community Knit-In hosted by 102.5 ABC Perth Afternoons, with a live broadcast from the ABC’s East Perth studios. The event brought together knitters, crocheters, volunteers, supporters, families and community partners to celebrate the overwhelming response to the campaign.
The room was filled not only with handcrafted creations, but also with stories of resilience, hope and generosity. Families shared their experiences of receiving support through King Edward Memorial Hospital and the Baby Bundles program, highlighting the difference these thoughtful gifts and essential items can make during difficult circumstances.
Guests also had the opportunity to meet many of the dedicated knitters and crocheters whose creativity and generosity helped make the campaign such a success. For many, it was a moving reminder that every handmade gift carries a powerful message: your community cares.
One particularly special moment was welcoming the family of the late Margaret Lay, whose vision and compassion helped establish the Baby Bundles program over 40 years ago.
Her children – Ross, Andrew and Christine, and daughter-in-law Trish – travelled from across Western Australia to attend the Knit-In, honouring their mother’s enduring legacy.
Margaret’s belief that every baby deserves a warm welcome into the world continues to live on through every Baby Bundle distributed to families in need.
Seeing her family celebrate alongside volunteers, supporters and recipients was a fitting tribute to a program that has touched countless lives over many years.
WIRF was also honoured to welcome His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia, and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson, patrons of the Foundation.
Their presence highlighted the importance of community-led initiatives that support the health and wellbeing of women, babies and families across Western Australia.
As the Knitting for Newborns campaign comes to a close, WIRF extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who knitted, crocheted, donated essential items, shared their story, volunteered their time or helped spread the word. Every contribution – large or small – has helped support families experiencing challenging circumstances and demonstrated the incredible generosity of our Western Australian community.
To Jo Trilling and the team at 102.5 ABC Perth, thank you for championing this campaign and helping shine a light on the Baby Bundles program. And to the hundreds of listeners who answered the call with needles, yarn, donations and open hearts – thank you. Your kindness will wrap Western Australian babies and families in warmth for many months to come.
