By JUSTIN FLYNN
NOT in her wildest dreams did Heather Edsall ever think that a simple Facebook post would turn into something so huge.
Heather, from Ocean Grove, posted a call out for materials so that she, and her sewing students, could make reusable sanitary pads to help girls in Africa attend class every day without an interruption to their education.
She received an overwhelming response.
A few weeks later, Heather helped organise a day where people could get together and help make more sanitary pads. About 30 people gathered at Moorfield Park estate in Wallington to band together for a worthy cause.
“There were 30 people sewing, cutting, studding, looking after the kitchen,” Heather said.
“Others couldn’t stay but popped in with donations of fabric, studs and food. There has been an overwhelming response from the community. So much fabric is now under my cutting table.”
So successful was the day, that Heather is organising a second workshop and will announce the date on the OGBH Community Noticeboard Facebook page.
“We’ve made 343 completed pads with another 300 partially made to be completed,” Heather said.
“We will deliver to One Planet Classrooms in Warragul when they’re done over the next few weeks. They’ll then be shipped to Africa at $150/5kg box.”
Local business also got involved on the day. IGA St Leonards and Michels Patisserie made food donations along with Moorfield Park Estate donating the use of its clubrooms for the gathering.
“I’m storing the ‘rewards’ from the day in my ensuite shower which I don’t use,” Heather said. “170 pairs of undies were donated.”
