Wellington, 24 April 2009. – A Blenheim mum has knitted the centrepiece for UNICEF’s giant baby blanket that is helping to raise awareness of AIDS in the developing world.

Kim Anderson has joined hundreds of others around the country who are knitting or crocheting 20cm x 20cm squares by 1 May. The squares will be stitched together to form a blanket of 1,400 squares that will be unveiled at Parliament this Mother’s Day. The 1,400 squares represent the number of children under 15 years of age who contract HIV every day.

The Marlborough Express newspaper says Kim knitted squares with the message “Unite for Mothers”. Kim was more than happy to do the job because it was for a good cause and is encouraging other knitters to support the campaign.

The newspaper also quoted UNICEF’s Sarah Morris, who says the campaign is raising awareness that cost-effective options are available to prevent pregnant mothers with HIV from passing it on to their babies.

Read the full Marlborough Express story including a photo of Kim with her knitted squares.

In addition to knitting or crocheting, people can get behind the Unite for Mothers campaign by signing an online petition or attending the event at Parliament on 10 May.

Learn more about the Unite for Mothers campaign