Mrs Richardson, 84, has spent her days in recent weeks knitting blanket squares to be made into rugs for homeless people.

She does not know who left two- and-a-half blanket squares on her bed but she started to knit and now has 33 squares she would like to donate.

“The pile has grown and I am still knitting,” she said.

“I used to spend my time covering coat hangers with lace for the staff (at Benhome).

“I like to keep my hands and mind busy and active.”

Mrs Richardson has lived at Benhome for the past four years.

“I was born at Artarmon, then moved to Lane Cove, Woy Woy and now Maitland is home,” she said.

“I did not know where Maitland was back in the days of the big flood (1955) so my husband George brought me here on a train and said this is Maitland.

“I love it now.”

Mrs Richardson recalled her grandmother teaching her to knit and crochet when she was a young girl.

“I now have four children, 10 grandchildren and number 13 great grandchild is on the way.”