As part of her community service for the William Pike Challenge Award, Grace M has been knitting up a storm.

The William Pike Challenge Award (WPCA) requires students to give back to their communities in some ways. "We know that leadership opportunities, volunteering and mentoring experiences, build the strength and resilience of young people, and give them access to new experiences, people and skills," says the WPCA website. Community service is a way for our tamariki to show gratitude for the privileges they have in their own lives. 

Grace M from Room 11 wanted to use her skills of knitting to help others. It was something she could do after school and she said "I don't have to leave home to do it!" Grace was talking to her nana about needing to complete community service for WPCA and her nana found out about Knitting for N.I.C.U. 

So far, Grace has made a blanket that's 1 meter square. This took her around 13 hours to complete over the past month. 

N.I.C.U. is the neonatal unit at Christchurch Hospital. The Neonatal Service provides 24-hour care for newborn babies with a variety of special needs. This includes prematurity, surgery, congenital abnormalities and babies who may have been compromised at birth.

One thing these babies have in common is that they find it hard to regulate their body temperatures. While this can be carefully controlled in the incubators, it's important these babies also get cuddles. This is where the blankets come in!

He aroha whakatā, he aroha puta mai.
If kindness is sown, then kindness shall be received.

Grace has inspired me! How can I help?

There is a Facebook page here. Knitting for N.I.C.U. also needs wool! See the Q & A below to see why...

Why do we need wool?
Our knitters donate many hours of their time to knit up singlets, blankets, cardigans, booties and beanies. Many use their own wool, but it's always so nice to be able to give them the wool to knit with.

What kind of wool do we need?
Any ply is accepted as long as it is 100% wool please. Our most popular ply to knit with is 4ply.

Why 100% wool?
Being a natural fibre, it breaths better than acrylic mixes. Many of the babies find it difficult to regulate their temperature. Wool actually helps to regulate their temperature.