Yesterday, Women Helping Ōtepoti presented the Dunedin Hospital assessment, treatment and rehabilitation service with more than 30 knitted emotional support chickens that could be given to patients in need of some extra comfort during their stay.
Group chairwoman Monica Zaini said the chickens were used as a means of comfort.
"You can’t have a live chicken in your apartment - so these are for whenever [people] are stressed, or need something to cuddle."
The group also knitted baby chicks, eggs, baby blankets, beanies and toiletry bags.
The idea came after a friend’s mother died and they said they "could really do with one of those chickens", Ms Zaini said.
"I didn’t take him seriously, but later my daughter called me and said, ‘hey, he’s asking for his chicken’."
She pitched the idea of knitting emotional support chickens to the group, and the life-sized hens started to fly off the needles.
The group relied on wool donations from the community to make their creations.
Their next project was to knit winter warmers for two Dunedin primary schools which would include a beanie, a scarf, a pair of mittens and a pair of slippers.
In July, they planned to donate a haul of knitted blankets, cardigans, mittens, booties and singlets to the Dunedin Hospital NICU.
"We’re not a big group and we’re making a lot of things," she said.
"We’re always looking for more knitters and sponsors.
"Honestly we’re just thankful that people still care and want to help."
