Love rugs

A 96-year-old Rockingham woman has been busy knitting blankets which will be sent with handmade teddy bears to children in need.

Margaret Butler, pictured, has knitted many blankets, but has only just started making them for Wheelchairs For Kids, a not-for-profit group which manufactures and distributes wheelchairs to children living in countries with limited health resources.

Ms Butler said each blanket took her at least a fortnight to complete.

“I started making them for something to do, I have made about 30 so far and a lot of them are big ones,” she said.

“I have not done many for the Wheelchairs For Kids yet, I have only just started for them.”

Ms Butler has also made blankets for people in the local community, such as for raffles and nursing homes.

“A lot of people around here have had me make blankets for them,” she said.

Laurel Carter helps Ms Butler by taking the blankets to a factory in Wangara, along with the teddy bears, which her sister makes.

She said Ms Butler’s creations were loved by the children who received them.

“The factory where I take the blankets and toys also makes the wheelchairs to send over,” she said.

“We wanted to give the children something extra with the wheelchairs and so now when they get their box they get a rug and a little toy too.”

Wheelchairs For Kids makes about 340 wheelchairs each month.

They are adjustable and built specially for rough terrain, with postural supports, a head rest, harness, a waterproof cushion, tray and tool kit.