Wairarapa knitters keeping hats on heads
‘Baby’ Ashwell, only 15 hours old, is one of 69 babies born by caesarean section at Wairarapa
Hospital this year. He is wearing a woollen hat, made with love by a generous knitter in the
Masterton community. It keeps his head cosy especially in the hospital theatre which has cooling
operating temperatures. Each hat comes with a special message, “…with good wishes and blessings
of those at St Andrew’s in the Paddock.”
Throughout the year, Wairarapa community knitters produce an ongoing supply of hand knitted
woollen hats which theatre staff put on newborn babies to keep them warm.
Kate Ferguson, co-ordinator of ‘Hats on Heads’, says for many babies these hats are the only woollen
garments they have. “Wairarapa Hospital theatre staff are thrilled with the tiny gifts and thank all
the knitters for keeping the babies warm. There are many babies and families that benefit from the
thoughtfulness and kindness of these dedicated knitters.”
Although Christmas is still a few months away, tiny Christmas hats are ready for any festive babies.
Blue tops and matching hats, gifted to premature twins Marcus and Lucus Sarath, were kindly
donated by another talented knitter from Palmerston North whose garments are shared between
Special Care Units in both Manawatu and Masterton. Marcus and Lucus are surrounded by 40
brightly coloured sets of tops and hats ready to warm tiny babies.
The Special Care Unit babies at Wairarapa Hospital have also benefited from a selection of merino
beanies and booties from Merino Kids, Greytown, which was very much appreciated by families.
Photo captions
Premature identical twins Marcus (left) and Lucus Sarath in their gifted ‘tiny tops and hats’ are
surrounded by 40 sets ready to warm more tiny babies in the Special Care Unit at Wairarapa
Hospital.
Baby Ashwell is kept warm with a woollen hat thanks to the generosity of Masterton knitters.
For more information:
Anna Cardno, Communications Manager, Wairarapa DHB
[email protected] Ph: 06 946 9858 Mob: 027 318 6698