Kiwis race against time to complete giant UNICEF baby blanket for Mothers Day

Hundreds of people around New Zealand are frantically knitting and crocheting woollen squares to meet the deadline for a giant baby blanket to be unveiled at Parliament this Mother’s Day.

The giant blanket is part of the UN Children’s Fund Unite for Mother’s campaign that is raising awareness of AIDS in the developing world.

UNICEF International Advocacy Manager, Sarah Morris, says that the level of support from around the country and even overseas has been amazing.

“Knitters and crocheters are really getting behind the campaign. There’s a strong feeling among these volunteers that their craft skills can help make a difference.”

Ms Morris says that often when one person in an area starts knitting for the baby blanket, their friends, families and even workmates end up joining them.

“We know of volunteers in Auckland, Hamilton, Whakatane, Palmerston North, Wairarapa, Wellington, Blenheim, Motueka, Dunedin and Southland. Interest has also come from as far away as Canada and the United States.

“There are probably still more people taking part that we just don’t know about yet.

“It’s like the knitting world’s version a viral video, or a a woollen snowball -- the support just keeps getting bigger and bigger.”

Ms Morris says that the pressure is definitely on with only days before the 1 May deadline for squares to be completed. A team of volunteers will then begin the task of stitching together the squares to form the giant baby blanket. After its unveiling at Parliament this Mother’s Day (3pm) the blanket will be divided into baby-sized blankets and delivered to new mum’s in Papua New Guinea.

Ms Morris says that people can also support the campaign by signing the online petition, which will be presented to MPs who are mums at Parliament this Mother’s Day.

Ms Morris says that the Unite for Mother’s campaign celebrates the strength and trials of motherhood.

“For millions of women in the developing world the risk of HIV and AIDS is a stark reality, with pregnancy creating the added risk of passing the virus to their child, whether during pregnancy, labour or delivery.

“Greater testing and treatment of pregnant women can significantly reduce the risk of passing on the virus to their children, but less than 10 per cent of women are getting the help they need.

“Cost-effective treatment options are available, but more effort and resource needs to be applied in order to save the lives of countless mothers and children.”

Ms Morris says that the giant baby blanket is a tangible reminder this Mother’s Day that every mother who is tested and treated for HIV and AIDS may one day see her child grow up strong and healthy.

“That’s the best gift a mother could ask for.”

More information about the Unite for Mothers campaign, including knitting instructions and an online petition, can be found at www.unicef.org.nz