When Lillian Fava couldn’t find a group of people who shared her passion of making items to donate to those in need, she started her own.

Since February this year, Lillian and her Crafting for a Cause group at VMCH Providence Retirement Village in Bacchus Marsh, has donated over 150 pouches to Wildlife Victoria for injured animals.

The pouches are used for injured birds, possums and joeys, and Lillian has been told that their contributions are a valuable and enormously appreciated resource.

The group has also made and donated knee rugs and hats to the Royal Melbourne Hospital as well as baby jackets, hats and booties to the Royal Women’s Hospital.

Lillian started crocheting when she was 14 and has not stopped, except for a brief break when she started to notice she was dropping things, including her stitches. Thankfully, after surgery on her neck, she found she was able to pursue her love of craft again.

She owes her ability to create again to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, which is why they are a recipient of her creative skills. She just wants to give back to those who help others.

“I am passionate about what I do,” says Lillian, “and I want to spend my time giving back as much as I can.”

The Crafting for a Cause group meets every Saturday from 1-4pm at the Providence Retirement Village Community Centre, and currently has 7 participants, but Lillian says they’d like more.

“We are very inclusive. No matter the age, I would love to see some of the younger ones come along, I would really like to teach them how to knit or crochet.”

“We welcome everyone to come, we are a good, happy, fun group, we have a lot of laughs.

Lillian says they would also welcome any donations of yarn (wool or acrylic), old blankets or fabric which she uses as lining in the pouches.

If you’d like to be involved with the group or can donate any supplies, contact Lillian on 0431 161 775.