Woolen wonders have charities' cause sewn up

Published by Neil Shaefer for Railway Housing Association in Housing and also in Communities

Kind-hearted knitters at a sheltered housing scheme are using their skills to help those less fortunate than themselves – but they are appealing to the community to help them do even more.

Five residents at the Railway Housing Association housing scheme in Shildon only set up their ‘Knit and Natter’ group in March and they have already knitted dozens of blankets, teddy bears and jumpers.

Everything they make is being sent to three charities that help under-privileged children and families across the world – Medical Missionary News, Link Romania and Highway Ministeries.

Up until now the five residents – Sylvia Brown, Jackie Cooper, Pat Best, Kath Saunders amd Joyce Hassler – have bought all their own wool but with it costing over £1 a ball they could ideally with some donations of wool.

Sylvia Brown explained: “When we set up the group we didn’t think we would get through so much wool, so fast, although we are delighted with how many different things we have been able to knit in such a short period of time.

“It’s very rewarding to know that these items will help children in poorer countries and we would like to do more. If anyone could donate any balls of wool to us, we would be very grateful and it would certainly be for a very worthy cause.”

Charity volunteer Mary Little, who has collected the first batch of knitted items from the Plevna Mews Knit and Natter group, said: “These items can really make a difference to people’s lives, whether that is an orphan in Romania who would benefit from having a teddy bear to a mother in Africa who can safely wrap her child in a blanket while she works alongside.”

Anyone who would like to donate a ball(s) of wool to the Knit and Natter group can contact John Cooper on 01388 772239.