Knitters help to keep air ambulance flying

KNITTERS in Melksham have helped Co-op Funeralcare to raise £700 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance this year by selling hand-knitted clothes for children. 

Co-op Funeralcare, on Church Street, have been displaying knitted items from a number of knitters  in Melksham and beyond and selling them for a donation to Wiltshire Air Ambulance. A cheque presentation was held on Friday 23rd August with volunteer, Clare Bromell, accepting £700 from money raised this year. 

“We have been raising money through the knitting for around four and a half years now,” said Michelle Millward at Co-op Funeralcare. “It started because I wanted to help tackle loneliness in the town. There were a lot of older ladies who no longer had little ones to knit for or anyone to see. So as part of the community, I wanted to do something that would also raise money for a local charity. 

“They make blankets, toys, clothes and none of it stays on the shelf for very long. Sometimes people come in and clear the shelf completely! It’s great to recognise these ladies for all that they do.

“People pass by the shop every day to see if we have any new items in the window. We even have had people ask for specific items, so I then give their orders to the ladies to knit. 

“We have quite a lot of knitters that make donations on the one-off, or we have a few ladies that do it regularly all-year round.” 

Pauline Escott, Pauline Hillier and Janet Hosking are all knitting items to bring to the funeralcare on a regular basis. All three ladies have been knitting since they were around 5/6 years old. 

Pauline Escott said, “It’s amazing. I always have a look as I go past to see what is in the window and what pieces have been bought.” 

Clare Bromell, volunteer at Wiltshire Air Ambulance said, “As a volunteer for the Air Ambulance, many people wanted to help because of a family member or a close connection to the charity. I wanted to help out at a charity that is inclusive of everyone, race, religion, old, young and chose Wiltshire air ambulance. It is great what these ladies are doing is going to benefit the air ambulance, which costs £10,000 a day to run, which anyone could need if they find themselves in a critical emergency.” 

The knitters are currently working on Christmas items for the window and Co-op Funeralcare are also hosting a raffle to win a knitted Christmas jumper – with all proceeds going to Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Co-op Funeralcare would also like to call upon knitters once again to make knitted or croqueted poppies in time for Remembrance. 

For more information, call Co-op Funeralcare on 01225 708012.