Scores of community members have joined in an effort to help birthing mothers and newborn babies in developing countries remain safe and healthy.
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The Zonta Club of Bendigo and its band of volunteers spent Saturday putting together 2000 kits that will give women a cleaner environment in which to give birth.
The kits contain such items as a plastic sheet, soap, gauze and a sterilised blade.
It was Helen Bradshaw’s first time volunteering at the yearly event, which has been held since 2003. “We live in such a lucky country, it’s nice to give to those less fortunate,” she said.
Birthing kit co-ordinator Irene McKinna said it was one of the most popular initiatives run by the Zonta Club.
“People really respond to it,” she said.
The kits will be distributed by the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia according to need.
Since taking up the initiative in 2003, the Zonta Club of Bendigo has created more than 36,000 kits.
It is estimated that for every 11 birthing kits distributed, the life of a mother or baby is saved.