Last Tuesday the group handed over six months’ worth of knitted blankets, clothes and toys that will go to children staying at Jodie’s Place, a refuge in the Cessnock area for women affected by domestic violence.

Colleen Barrowcliff, a member of the knitting group, said it was shortly after Jodie’s Place opened in September last year that the group decided to get involved.

“We had taken a bag of trauma teddies up to (Cessnock Hospital) and we were thinking of where we can help and we thought of Jodie’s Place,” she said.

“We had heard about Jodie’s Place and we knew with all of the domestic violence cases that there would be children involved, so we thought we’d knit and try and help out.”

Helping those less fortunate out is nothing new for the ever-expanding knitting group at Settlers Village.

Since a handful of residents decided to get together three years ago, the group has swelled to around 25 members and has knitted for toy runs, local hospitals, the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal and more recently the Australian-operated Mission in Action charity in Kenya.

Wool has been kindly donated from management at Settlers Village, as well as the social club, allowing the ladies to contribute countless hours to the cause.

Settlers Village manager Sue Ledden said it was important for the ladies that they were able to come together and give their time towards a good cause.

“It’s a great way for the women to get together, to sit down and enjoy each other’s company and at the same time give something to those that need it,” Ms. Ledden said.

With the fruits of six months’ labour now in the hands of those who need it, Ms. Barrowcliff said the group had no intention of slowing down.

“We’re already doing things now that will go to the next lot for Jodie’s Place, it just continues on,” she said.

 “We’re all knitting, all the time, and the main thing is that we’re helping someone.”