Gifts that keep giving

Kathleen McKendrick. (Joe Mastroianni). 223192_01

By Alesha Capone

Handmade blankets, toys and baby clothing are among the many items which Kathy MacKendrick is selling to raise funds for the Werribee Hospital Foundation.

Kathy is volunteering her time to sell the item, with 100 per cent of profits to go to the WHF.

Kathy has transformed a room of her home into a shop and is selling the items – which have been made by other WHF volunteers – from her house and via the Gumtree website.

The items include animal print cushions, baby bootees for Christmas, beanies, children’s bedding, footy team items, jewellery, kitchen aprons and towels, knee and cot rugs, owl motif heat packs, peg aprons, macramé wall hangings, tote bags and toys.

Kathy, who also runs a recycling project from home and sells housing and garden wares, said she decided to sell the items on behalf of the WHF as she thought “it would be a nice thing to do for the community”.

“There are some lovely things at reasonable prices,” she said.

“The toys would make a wonderful small gift.”

Kathy, who has also volunteered for St Vinnies and other community causes, is legally blind.

She said she wanted to inspire other blind people to pursue their passions.

“I think it’s getting more and more important for people with a disability to know they can do all sorts of things and shouldn’t be overlooked,” she said.

Kathy said she is on the lookout for Wyndham residents who knit or make items, such as toys, which could be donated to raise funds for the WHF.

Visit Gumtree.com.au and search for “Werribee Mercy Hospital” or “Toys for Christmas” to see the items Kathy is selling and to contact her.