The Knitted Together program run by Dungog and District Neighbourcare sees local travelers take brightly coloured, hand-knitted jumpers and beanies for babies and toddlers to needy countries.

Support Coordinator at Neighbourcare, Lurline Trustum said the generosity of the local community is amazing.

“There are a lot of people who love to knit, but their Aussie grandchildren have enough hand-knitted jumpers,” she said.

“We have six knitters, with one lady who knits a jumper a day and another gentleman who knits around 100 a year.

“At one stage the jumpers were sent to Melbourne until we were told they had too many so we linked up with local travelers who deliver them to orphanages, schools and hospitals in such places as Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Peru, Bali, Fiji and Mongolia.

“Sometimes it’s not socially acceptable to take photos of the children wearing the outfits but when we do get photos it’s amazing to see the smiles on their little faces,” she said.

Mrs Trustum said local soccer players took some of the garments with them when they traveled to South Africa for the World Cup a few years ago.

“They got out of the confines of the hotel and visited an orphanage to deliver the jumpers and said they would never have seen the “real” South Africa if they didn’t make that visit,” she said.

Knitted Together members also knit beanies for the Seaman’s Mission in Newcastle.

When a cargo ship comes in the mission gives out beanies to sailors to ward off the cold when at sea.

The centre would love to hear from people who would like to donate wool to the knitters or who are able to make a donation on their travels.

“The jumpers and beanies don’t weigh a lot and you can poke them in small places in your suitcase so if you can take six or 60 we’d appreciate it.”

Neighbourcare can be contacted on 4992 3348.