Knitters for Melbourne's Needy Inc.

The brainchild of Rifka Knox, this association was started and incorporated on the 19th of April 1993 with only two volunteers. The idea was to give the abused, battered and homeless a new garment to keep them warm, to show that someone cared and to help raise their self esteem.

Today there are more than 830 volunteers Australia wide. In the first year 1197 items were produced and last year's total was   12,431  items ranging from toys and rugs to jumpers (of all sizes) and beanies.

By Dec 2008  a total of   144,556   items had been GIVEN AWAY through 27 smaller welfare agencies in return for written guarantees that NOTHING IS SOLD by them.

Although a number of companies donate yarn and funds, "Knitters" only has one sponsor: