When we started this project last September we had no idea how enormous it would become and honestly have been blown away by the response. We should have known, folk never fail to amaze. We can't find the words to express how grateful and thankful we are that so many have risen to the challenge. We know we can't help everyone, but will help as many as we can, and each warm item goes to an individual with love and support from us. Just looking at numbers of items we have already sent to refugees in Kurdistan and Lesvos...
Blankets made by individuals - 127
Blankets made using separate 12 or 6 inch squares sent in - 34
Hats - 805
Cardis/ jumpers etc - 90
Footwear - 15
Scarves - 145
Gloves/wrist warmers - 53
What an extraordinary response
It is the together bit, that's our strength, we are so grateful to everyone for every single stitch.
With your love and support we need to carry on. Every day more desperate folk are struggling in appalling conditions, there is no end in sight. In this next phase we will continue to send to refugees in Kurdistan and Lesvos and will also be supporting Syrian families arriving here, initially through contacts on the South coast.
Can you help us fabulous mumsnetters?
Because it still stands, we have C&P the OP for all crafting info from our first thread, which is here....
As for so many others, we have been moved to tears by the heartbreaking plight of refugees, both in Europe and further afield, and the inhumanity which seems to surround them too often. We have donated, signed petitions on change.org and written to our MPs, and understand the feeling of shouting in the wind, we desperately want to do more.
There is something practical we can do together, and it really will help, but fabulous Mumsnetters, we are going to need your support.
We can get woolly warmth to families in refugee camps in Kurdistan, thanks to the amazing charity Knit for Peace. There are 1.8 million refugees trapped there, most have fled civil wars and ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Winter is coming, it will be even more desperate and absolutely freezing. We are also developing links to get resources to children and families elsewhere, and on their arrival in the UK. We just want to help keep folk warm. We know we can’t help everyone, but we can some.
We really need your help, here’s how…
- We need 12 inch, or six inch squares. Knit or crochet both equally welcome.
- Yarn to be used - any good quality acrylic DK, for example Stylecraft special DK
- Any colour, any style, it is all good.
- Squares equally welcome if made by beginner or expert. Truly.
- No one think their's wouldn’t be good enough. They will be.
- We'd love to receive whole blankets, but absolutely understand time constraints.
- We’d also love to receive hats and gloves/mittens for any age, baby sized through to adult, the same for jumpers. But appreciate that is a very big ask.
- If you’d like to donate yarn or funds, let us know - we’d absolutely LOVE to hear from you, we need you too. This will be a real team effort
- If anyone would like to join in crafting but can’t afford to, please PM us, we can help.
One square, one blanket, a pair of gloves, one warm hat, one step at a time, really every little thing will help. Together we can make a difference.
Sadly we cannot accept items other than home made woolly ones at the moment, if this changes we will come back.
If anyone arrives in this thread and holds similar views to Cameron, no need to post, just move along. This is a positive, humanitarian thread taking positive, humanitarian action.
Do join us on our Facebook page Woolly Hugs and Twitter @Woolly_Hugs - both good ways to keep in touch.
If you'd rather email us than PM we are [email protected]
Thank you doesn’t come close, bless you.