A local crafting group is already planning for Easter 2023 as they support hospice care across the local area.
The Glossopdale Charity Crafters started supporting Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust back in 2016, knitting Easter chicks for the hospice’s spring fundraising campaign. The group then branched out with knitted chocolate covers for Christmas, and more recently, knitted sunflowers to brighten up the reception display at the hospice in Chapel-en-le-Frith, and items to support the fundraising team at local events and markets.
When local crafting volunteers were asked about why they wanted to support the hospice, Sue said: ‘Because one day they may help me or my family and friends.’
Lynda commented: ‘Because they are so appreciative of what we do, and we do it out of love for the things they do.’ And Ali said: ‘Because they support those we care about.’
Deborah Gregory, founder and organiser of the Glossopdale Charity Crafters, explained: ‘The Charity Crafters began in March 2016 when the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust put out a plea for knitters to make little bees that were to be placed on walks for people to find and then log into their website to say where they had found it and to get some information on how to help our bees.
‘When volunteer knitters finished that project, they asked to carry on and we decided to help members of our community by providing high-quality handmade items to those in need. We made things like cribs for babies born too soon; hats and scarves to keep people warm, including the homeless, and for patients on a surgical ward at Tameside Hospital to maintain body temperature after surgery. We supply Peeps-Hie (a local charity who support families who have babies born with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy), with hats to put in their hospital packs so parents have somewhere to turn after diagnosis.
‘Our donations either provide practical or emotional support to those who need a hand of friendship. We cover the whole of the Peak District, Greater Manchester and most recently Salford where we support not only a community centre but Verve CIC, placing foster carers with children. Each child is provided with a toy of their own that they get to keep, and a pocket toy to take around with them to provide emotional support.
‘During the first lockdown we were approached by some of the hospital staff we liaise with to help provide them with scrubs, scrub hats and other items they couldn’t get their hands on. Staff had been sequestered into work and scrubs were a huge part of infection control but they could not be bought anywhere. Using our volunteers and then putting a request online secured the support of about 2,000 amazing volunteers, not only machinists but drivers and fundraisers. It was such a privilege to be able to help in this way and tens of thousands of items were provided free of charge to as many NHS and care staff as needed them.
‘The base for the group is in Glossop and there are two huge donation boxes outside 8 Ashleigh Avenue, Glossop, SK13 7BL, for not only our group but anyone in the network we support. Networking is really important in what we do. Working together we can tackle so much more, keep more out of landfill and help as many more people as possible.
‘It doesn’t matter what your ability, there is always something you can do and lots of support to help you progress. We were meeting up before the pandemic but haven’t yet got back into our monthly meet ups though this is something we are working towards. If anyone has any wool they would like to donate we will never say no. We also need buttons (especially large ones), small zips, large beads, keyrings and other items that can be sewn onto twiddlemuffs to create interest. Twiddlemuffs are knitted muffs with items attached to keep dementia patients’ hands active and busy.’
For more information about the group:
- Email Deborah on: deborah@gregory123.plus.com
- Find Glossopdale Charity Crafters on Facebook
