(Photo: Marcus Priaulx)
July 29, 2014
by Marcus Priaulx
Karen Croke began knitting a few clothes for Brisbane’s needy more than eight years ago.
That led to the formation of Knitting 4 Brisbane’s Need (KB4N), and now a mass of items being brought to Cherbourg.
Karen and husband Peter made the six-hour round trip from Brisbane last week to bring scarves, beanies, toys, blankets, clothes and a mound of other goods to town.
The goods came from a combination of items from K4BN and the Connected Inc charity group.
The parcels have now been stored with the AIM Church in Cherbourg to be distributed to people that need them.
Anything left over will be delivered to other South Burnett services and groups that help the needy.
Cherbourg Council CEO Warren Collins said everyone was grateful for the donation and time it took for Karen, Peter and their associates to make, pack and deliver the goods.
Some of Australia’s most disadvantaged people live in the South Burnett area.
“This is why we need parents to send their children to school every day so they can get themselves out of the poverty trap,” Warren said.
“Education and the discipline of school is what enables people to grow and care for themselves and their families and not have to rely on charity.
“Unfortunately this area, and Australia in general, has far too many people who struggle throughout life due to their poor education levels.
“We need to change that and have parents send their children to school every day.
“We are very grateful for the help received from Karen, Peter and the Connected group and will do our best to ensure people throughout the South Burnett receive the donated items.”
Karen said the trip to Cherbourg had been a memorable one.
“Meeting the people and sitting with (mayor Ken Bone’s wife) Marlene gave us a lovely feeling of being able to do something for someone without expecting anything in return,” she said.
And that is what Karen and her now 300-plus K4BN members have been doing for more than eight years.
K4Bn members have since provided more than 200,000 items to disadvantaged people throughout Queensland.
“It’s just nice to be able to help,” Karen said.
