THIS year’s Christmas market has put the Zonta Club of Bendigo in good stead to produce the next batch of birthing kits for mothers and their babies in developing countries.
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The club has yet to finalise its fundraising tally but said it collected about $3500 on Saturday.
Zonta Bendigo aims to produce 2000 birthing kits in 2019, and is seeking to raise $6000 to that end.
The annual Christmas market is the club’s major fundraiser for the kits, which help to create a clean birth to reduce infection-related deaths.
Club member Lyn McNamara said there was a lot of custom through the doors of The Bendigo Club on Saturday.
“We had a really constant morning and a lot of happy shoppers,” she said.
“I would say it’s been on par, if not a little bit better this year… The public has really supported us well.”
Ann-Maree Reid’s Doterra stall sold out of one of its Christmas-inspired essential oils, as well as a number of other items in the festive catalogue.
“Lots of different people have come around looking for Christmas presents,” Ms Reid said.
“I’ve been talking non-stop.”
Saturday’s Christmas market was the first she had been involved in with Zonta Bendigo.
“I’ve been told over the years it’s been a fantastic event,” Ms Reid said.
She was pleased to support a great cause.
“It is estimated that for every 11 birthing kits distributed, a mother or baby’s life is saved,” Zonta Bendigo president Ann Horrocks said ahead of the event.
“Zonta Bendigo’s annual production of 2000 kits could save over 180 lives”.
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Emma D'Agostino
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
