"Babies in Waikato Hospital's Waikids wards are clad in some of the cutest gears out thanks to an elderly patient who, for three years running, has knit almost ‘a hat per day’ for sick children,” according to a media a mediia release from Waikato District Health Board.
The release continues: “Winifred Osborne, 85, a Hamilton resident for about 40 years, began knitting when she was all but three years old and says the activity has been a ‘lovely way to pass the time’ during her own spells in and out of Waikato Hospital with liver trouble.”
"I had a few friends at my church who were doing it; knitting hats and blankets and all sorts for this wonderful hospital. One day my friend Audrey said to me, 'shall we do it?' And I said, 'well I've got plenty of wool that I'm not using - we might as well!'"
Read the full news release.
Ms Osborne is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She and fellow Latter-day Saint Audrey Day have also combined to knit outfits for teddy bears. Together they have dressed over 100 bears, with proceeds going to charity.
"The project of dressing bears started when I first met a child and learned of her brave battle against cancer," Ms Day says. "I wondered how I could help raise money for research for the hospital. I saw there were many pre-loved and abandoned bears on the market."
"I bought some, sanitized them and dressed them. They looked so bright and happy to have a second chance, just like the little girl I met was having a second chance after cancer."
Ms Day says that she and Ms Osborne are both ladies of "golden age."
"And," she adds, "we can't say it's work as we both love what we do. We both take joy in helping others."