Tight-knit mother & daughter weave £500 for charity

A MELKSHAM mother and daughter’s lockdown knitting hobby has turned into a charity fundraiser. 

92-year old Vera Benney and her daughter Ann Fernandez have raised £500 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance by selling knitted items they have made. 

The project began in lockdown last year when Vera – originally from Melksham but now lives in Avon Court Care Home, Chippenham – needed something to do to keep herself entertained. 

“It all started during lockdown,” explained Vera’s daughter Ann, speaking to Melksham News, ‘mum felt a bit lost, so at the home they all started knitting squares for blankets to keep busy, but she got a bit fed up with the monotony, so I suggested she try making other things. 

“And when people started donating lots of wool to her – I jumped in to help, and things spiralled from there! We’ve been knitting hats, scarves, mittens, dolls clothes – anything anybody wants! And mum has been selling it all at the home. 

“It’s been really good for mum, it’s given her a purpose and something to focus on each day. And we are still knitting and hope to donate to other charities in the future.”