THE Zonta Club of Bendigo is preparing to host its annual Christmas market, with fewer than 40 days left to buy gifts.

Christmas cakes, plants, jewellery, soaps, embroidery, cards, children’s toys and dolls are among the items to be stocked by 40 stalls on Saturday.

“We aim to raise a substantial part of the $6000 needed to fund the birthing kits we will assemble in 2018,” club president, Jan Buckland, said.

The club aims to produce 2000 birthing kits in 2018, replicating the number assembled by more than 100 volunteers this year.

The kits are intended to provide a clean birthing environment and reduce infection-related deaths. 

“Every two minutes a woman somewhere in the world dies of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, and annually an estimated 385,000 women die from preventable infection,” Zonta fundraising chair, Lyn McNamara, said.

“This is where Zonta’s birthing kits come in.”

Each kit contains a plastic sheet, soap and gloves, gauze, a sterile scalpel blade and a clean cord.

“It is estimated that for every 11 birthing kits distributed, a mother or baby’s life is saved. In 2018, Zonta Bendigo’s 2000 kits could save over 180 lives,” Ms McNamara said.

The Christmas market on Saturday runs from 10.30am – 3pm at The Bendigo Club in Park Street, Strathdale.

Ms Buckland said the market would be indoors, so it would not be affected by any adverse weather conditions.

Organisers would appreciate a gold coin donation upon entry.

There will also be a raffle and a silent auction on the day.