BROKEN HILL local and keen creative, Raelene Kerr, has set herself a larger New Year’s resolution than most; to crochet a knee rug for the 100 or so cancer patients receiving treatment in the Broken Hill Hospital oncology ward.
To help her mission, which includes knitting throw rugs for patients in Mildura as well, Ms Kerr is calling out to the public to donate wool, already finished knitted or crochet blankets, crochet hooks and knitting needles.
“It’s just me doing this but I am asking for volunteers, if there’s anyone that would like to give me a hand to make them,” Ms Kerr said.
“I will supply the wool if they need.”
The blankets will go to patients in Broken Hill and in Mildura.
Ms Kerr has had her own struggles battling breast cancer and now living with lymphedema.
“My problem is I’ve got plenty of wool at home at the moment, but once I get started on these rugs the wool is not going to go far enough,” she said.
“It’s an ongoing project because people don’t just stop getting cancer, they go through hundreds of patients up at oncology here, so I want to be able to do this ongoing.
“That’s why I’m asking for help with knitting and crocheting so that I can help and fulfil that dream of being able to give every patient up there a knee rug to take home with them.
“My family thinks I’m crazy. They think I’ll never be able to do knee rugs for everyone that goes through oncology.
“I think if I can get help to make them then I should be able to.
“I’ve already had three knee rugs donated!”
For those interested in knitting or crocheting for the project, donating wool or finished throws/rugs – call Ms Kerr on 0431 159 946.
