I posted this on Site stuff, but it was suggested we post it here too...

As part of the Health and Education For All campaign, Oxfam have launched an appeal for knitted squares to create a giant baby blanket, with each square knitted representing a mother who did not survive pregnancy or childbirth to be able to care for her baby, because she couldn't access the medical care she needed.

Oxfam are aiming to get 250,000 squares by September, which is the number of mothers who could have been saved in that time if decent healthcare had been available.

They need knitters to make 9 inch squares for the giant blanket, which will be handed into the Government as a sort of 'patchwork against poverty petition', to demand a world where everyone has access to free basic healthcare.

We were just wondered if all you Mumsknitters would be interested in teaming up with Oxfam to help out.

Ideally we'd need some folks to volunteer as Local/regional coordinators - who could appeal on their local sites for knitters, maybe organise a local knit -in/meet-up, wouldn't mind being contacted by non mumsnetter oxfam supporters to coordinate collection of squares

And then we just need folks who wouldn't mind unravelling an old sweater and knitting some squares (they're v keen on folks recycling old knitted stuff).

In May they're planning on holding Knit-ins at local MP's offices - so they're also looking for folks happy to teach their MP how to knit while talking about the issue of maternal mortality and hopefully picking up some local media coverage.

Basically it's not about raising money but raising awareness.

Let us know what you think/if you would be interested in helping out.

Thanks

MNHQ