A MELKSHAM knitting club who have help many local charities are celebrating their first anniversary.
Crazy About Knitting was set up a year ago and the interest in the group has been huge with 53 members regularly meeting up to knit a variety of items for local charities.
The group’s popularity has grown so much that a second group has now started which runs in the evening to help even more knitters in Melksham get involved.
In the first year the group, who meet at Melksham Baptist Church, knitted over 2,200 items including 446 poppies for the Remembrance Commemorations, 462 items such as hats, mitts and bags for Operation Christmas Child and 250 items of clothing for Alabare.
Other charities to benefit from the group’s work include The Doorway Project, Children in Nepal, Age UK, the Sue Ryder shop, Chippenham Cancercare as well as helping raise £315.69 for the RUH Cancer Campaign.
Hilary McFall from the club said, “It’s been great to see the club grow. It is a fantastic place to not only create great items for worthy causes but is also a place where people can get together and enjoy each other’s company in a friendly environment.
“We are overwhelmed with how it has taken off and how well the first year has gone. The members of the group all love getting together and we have many people asking for additional groups to be set up so they can also join.
“Because we had so many of those requests we now have the second group which will run in the evening, so hopefully in the next year we can support even more charities. The second group will be held in Sainsbury’s cafe and we are grateful for their support.”
Heather Hitchins marketing officer for Alabare, – a charity who have benefitted from the club – said, “I think it is amazing what Crazy About Knitting have done here in Melksham and their work has benefitted so many people in Wiltshire who are in need.
“We thank them for their support and we are pleased to see so many people enjoy being a part of it.”
Crazy About Knitting meet on the first Wednesday of each month between 10am-12noon at Melksham Baptist Church. The newly formed second group will meet at Sainsbury’s cafe between 6.45pm-8.45pm on the first Thursday of each month.
