Winter woolies are a must as we head into the colder months.
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Lithgow's Dawn Douglas is doing her bit to ensure the less fortunate are able to keep warm this Winter by making beanies and scarves.
Ms Douglas has been making winter woollies for the homeless since she retired from full-time work back in 2013.
She recently moved to Lithgow in October 2018 from the South Coast to be closer to family.
Ms Douglas said she learnt to knit as a child and was taught how to crochet.
"I prefer to do this [crochet] as it's quicker, although I do knit occasionally," she said.
She said she bought her own materials to provide warm garments for the homeless, however used a lot of yarn from leftover garments she's made for herself and her family.
"I also often stock up when yarn is discounted," she said.
She said wasn't sure how many garments she had made as she didn't like to keep count.
"I don't keep count, I just make all different styles and try to stick with current fashion, a few years ago I made a lot of slouchy style beanies," she said.
Having been raised by a single mother after losing her father at a young age, Ms Douglas said she understood what it was like to go without.
"My mum was left to raise six kids between the ages of two and 12 so I understand what it's like to struggle financially and to go without.
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"This was in the 1960s when social security was much less than nowadays.
I come from a long ancestral line of those who support social justice with my grandmother being a Walker, I'm a distant relative of Sir Alan Walker who set up LifeLine," she said.
"I think it's in our DNA as my whole family are conscious of and support causes related to Social Justice."
It's important people have warm garments, I can't imagine being in the cold without them.
- Dawn Douglas
She said she didn't particularly feel special for donating beanies and scarves to the less fortunate, because it was a hobby she enjoyed.
"I just like to crochet and support those in need where and whenever I can.
"It's important people have warm garments, I can't imagine being in the cold without them," she said.
She said she wished there was more support for low income families and the homeless.
"Nobody should be homeless," she said.
Ms Douglas said her most recent batch of warm garments was being dropped off to Lithgow Information and Neighbourhood Centre (LINC) who would help to distribute them.
LINC is located at 1 Padley Street, Lithgow and can be contacted on 6352 2077.
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