Baby beanies wanted | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

The public is being asked to get their knitting needles clicking to keep Canterbury's smallest residents warm this winter.

The Canterbury District Health Board is encouraging people to knit newborn baby beanies to make sure babies going home, especially to the red zone, are kept warm.

The goal is to make sure every baby born this winter will get a woollen beanie when they leave the hospital.

New mother Natasha Grieve, who lives Dallington and is in the red zone, said the beanies are a wonderful idea.

"It's daunting having a new baby in all the uncertainty of the earthquakes and with the chance of more electricity cuts. If every newborn baby has a beanie, it will definitely help keep them warm," Mrs Greive said.

Christchurch Women's Health service manager Jane Waite said babies lose most of their body heat from their heads and having a woollen beanie is a very simple way to ensure they are kept warm.

"There are many young families living in damaged homes and heating their house this winter might be compromised," she
said.

Beanies must be made from 100 per cent pure wool and can be left or posted to reception at Christchurch Women's Hospital, Riccarton Ave. Alternatively donations of wool and knitting needles will also be accepted.