People buying their Christmas presents from a Bendigo market this weekend have also supported mothers in developing countries.
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The Zonta Club of Bendigo’s annual Christmas market supports its birthing kits, which contain items that will give women in less developed countries the opportunity to give birth in more sanitary and safe conditions.
The club aims to produce each year about 2000 kits, which contain a plastic mat, rubber gloves, cord, a scalpel blade, gauze and soap.
Read more: The small kit that could save lives
President Jan Buckland said it was hoped the market would generate about $5000 to $6000, with the kits costing about $3 each to put together.
The market featured everything from Christmas wreaths and fruit cake to dolls and clothing.
Mrs Buckland said there had been a “very steady crowd” at Saturday’s event and stallholders were happy.
Many stallholders are from Bendigo and the region, although some had travelled to sell their wares.
Most goods are also handmade.
The birthing kits were the brainchild of a doctor and member of the Zonta Club of Adelaide Hills, and in 2004 became an Australia-wide project, before the the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia was established two years later.