Through the power of knitting, 25 women from the Herald Avenue Senior Citizens Centre in Willetton are making a difference in the lives of those living with cancer.
Known as the Natty Knitters, the group was started by Carole McCamish with five other knitters two years ago.
With more than 25 members, the group recently reached a remarkable milestone, knitting their 1,000th beanie in just 11 months, with help from $750 in funding provided by former Seniors Centre President Monika Wong.
The beanies have been delivered in batches of 250 to four hospitals across Perth, including QEII, Royal Perth, SJOG Murdoch, and Fiona Stanley, to provide comfort to those battling cancer.
Club founder Carole McCamish said the beanies are made with love, with no charge attached, and that they are proud to simply give back something to those who may be in need, which also makes them feel valued.
“If a group of old ladies can make life a little bit easier for somebody who’s having a rough go of things, then it’s all worth it,” Ms McCamish said.
“It’s a win-win situation, people who make them get joy out of making them, and the people who receive them get joy out of receiving them because it’s making their day just that little bit better.”
Ms McCamish hopes that those receiving the beanies feel supported and understood.
“Many in the class have either had cancer or lost somebody to cancer,” she said.
“The important message that we wanted to get across is that there are people who have been and walked the same road that you’re going through now; you are not alone.”
The Natty Knitters also knit baby blankets, booties, bonnets, and jackets for newborns, with over 150 items recently delivered to the neonatal ward at Armadale Hospital.
Ms McCamish said the social connection the knitting club has provided is invaluable, giving members a sense of purpose and community.
“Having retired from long careers, this is often the first time many of our Natters have given back to a charitable cause,” she said.
“Many of our knitters have said that as they age, they feel more isolated and irrelevant. Being part of such a worthy cause and knitting for a purpose has given our ladies a real sense of relevance and reason to leave the house.
“Some socialise and ‘nat’ more than knit, and others prefer to just knit than nat. We all do what works for us and the rewards of helping someone suffering through illness makes it all worthwhile”.
In addition to the knitting club, which runs Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 11:00 am, the Herald Avenue Senior Citizens Centre for those over 55 offers a variety of activities, including painting, dancing, indoor lawn bowls, crocheting, bingo, and Tai Chi.
Ms McCamish is urging other seniors to step out of their comfort zones and join in on the fun offered through the club, as she has witnessed first-hand the positive impact these activities can have on both individuals and the community.
“As you age, there’s no reason to feel isolated. Wouldn’t it be great if other people realised that being a senior is not so bad because you can have just so much fun,” she said.
“Seeing someone walk in carrying the weight of the world and all their medical struggles, only to step onto the dance floor, start knitting, or socialise with others, laughing, and leaving with a huge smile on their face, is truly amazing.”
The Natty Knitters’ next major project is to knit and deliver fiddle sleeves for dementia patients in nursing homes and hospitals across the Perth metropolitan area.
