Knitting for sight

By Jonathon Howard

MURWILLUMBAH MASTER knitter Gwen

Deem has reached a major milestone in helping restore sight for people around the world — all through the power of knitting.

Ms Deem has now knitted a staggering 2,000 scarves and garments over the past 13 years to fundraise and help restore the sight of people via the Fred Hollows Foundation. The Weekly caught up with Ms Deem to check out her latest winter woolies and help spread the word to support her kind-hearted efforts.

“I knit a range of things with great quality wool, from beanies to socks, and I host them in several local shops and the funds are donated directly to Fred Hollows,” she said. Her efforts have now helped restore sight to more than 2,000 people and helping others has become her passion.

It was in early 2010 that she took up knitting needles for this great cause and she’s not looked back since.

Ms Deem would like to thank all those who have helped her along the way. She says she won’t stop, but maybe slow down a little.

Coming from a family of 11 children, Ms Deem remembers she had to be resourceful early in life and her mother taught her to knit when she was just four years old.

“I would later join the New Zealand Wool Board, which is considered a fairly big deal,” she said.

“This really gave me the discipline needed in knitting, which I still have today.”

To purchase one of Ms Deem’s items, please visit Uki Kingscliff Nursery to support this