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Keeping babies warm and cosy in winter is a focus for a Mairangi Bay charity that has reached out to the Hibiscus Coast for help.
Chars Place is a resource centre for women facing unexpected pregnancy. For three years in a row, it has run a Onesies for Winter campaign, asking people to donate onesies for babies aged 0-2 years.
The snuggly little garments are passed onto Littlemore, which provides Middlemore Hospital patients in need with packages, including the onesies.
Chars Place resource coordinator, Nicky Waddell, says the need is “a bottomless pit”.
The first year, they reached their target of 100 donated onesies, the following year it was 300 and since the launch last month, they have already exceeded this year’s goal of 500.
That done, Nicky says they are aiming even higher.
“We want as many as possible – there’s no such thing as too many onesies,” she says. “Every one donated means one more warm baby, and a warm baby is a healthier baby. That simple thing can have big spinoffs such as mum or dad not having to take time off work to care for a sick little one.”
Donated onesies need to be in good condition – with working domes and zips and no stains or tears.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean buying new. The garments can be found in op shops, still with the tags on, for $1 and Nicky says a friend of hers found merino onesies for $1 in ‘that place where everyone gets a bargain’.
Last year there was a low key collection point on the Hibiscus Coast, with a small number of locals and a childcare centre contributing, but this year it has ramped up, Nicky says.
The local drop off point is in Red Beach. Please text Rachel Haythornthwaite, 027 334 5763, for the address and suitable times.
Onesies are being accepted until April 20.
