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Woolly Hugs is a charity established by a group of Mumsnet users. They knit / crochet handmade blankets and other items for families experiencing difficult times.

Woolly hugs

Welcome to our Chernobyl project for 2017

999 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 13/01/2017 14:36

Welcome to our Chernobyl project for 2017!! So glad to have you on board!

For the last three years we have been making warm, comforting Little Hugs for Belarusian teenagers and children visiting the UK for recuperative holidays during the summer with the fabulous charity the Chernobyl Children's Project and Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline. Photos from the Leeds group can be seen here.. and our finished blankets from last year here…

Each year these marvellous charities bring children who live in the most contaminated area near the Chernobyl reactor over to the UK. In summer, when the dust causes radiation levels to rise, it becomes even more important for as many children as possible to leave their contaminated homeland for a few weeks of fresh air and clean food. The rates of childhood cancer are very high, the most common cancers being thyroid and leukemia. Coming to the UK for a four week break increases their immunity against the awful disease by up to 3 years when they return home. Often these children are in remission. Sadly though there is a high chance of these children falling ill again. They all suffer living in such difficult conditions and with very little.

Last year 36 children, teens and their interpreters went home with a beautiful Woolly Hug. This year we are keen to help even more groups, so Liverpool, Gloucester/Leeds (same Leeds group but this year spending 2 weeks at each location) Portsmouth and Helpston,Northampton.

That is about 70+ blankets!! Shock Wine

With your help we know we can do this


Wine

Please do join us, here’s how..

Crafting Information

  • We would like 12" squares in bright and cheery Stylecraft Special DK colours.
  • PLEASE AVOID USING black, bright green, bright pink, browns, greys, citron, sunshine, fiesta, jaffa and any pale pastels, white or cream for practical reasons. This will help squares fit together more easily.
  • Make squares in a neutral colour theme, or more specifically for a boy or girl. As much as we don’t like to think of colour as being gender specific, these children may.
  • We will be happy to accept 6" squares if making a 12" one feels too much.
  • Crochet or knitted, 4mm hook or needles. Single colour, mixed colour, simple, complex. No blocking and please sew in pesky ends.
  • If needed, we can supply yarn. Let us know if we can send to you.
  • Posting of squares please to the South Coast address, PM if you need it. Star



    If you think you’d like to make a whole blanket that is WONDERFUL, but please contact us first. We will be asking for gender neutral blankets which are 48 inches by 60m, but would just like to chat to you first, thank you!

    Supporting with funds
    If anyone would like to donate funds to support this, we would be so grateful. Please PM us for the donation info. Thank you xx

    Can anyone help with extras?
    There are a few extras which we will be collecting too alongside squares, items which really help, if you would like to add in any of these we would love to receive them for the children, thank you, bless you.

    Underwear aged 10 plus. New only
  • Adult size socks (one size fits all) new
  • Toothbrushes, single packed please
  • Hairbrushes
  • Toiletries, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo etc, but not bars of soap please.
  • Sanitary Towels
  • Plasters
  • Vitamins, please check suitable for 10 years+
  • Any little luxuries that teens might love, eg hair clips, make up bits, stickers etc.

    If you would like to add 50p in when you post squares for ice creams that would be so kind, we will split any money we receive between the groups.


    Last posting of squares (plus whole blankets) and any extras is Saturday 8th April

    No later please as we have to get on and sort at the end of that following week. Thank you. The rush will be on as the first group, Portsmouth arrive in May.

    What a big ask! Good grief!

    But the fabulous Woolly Hug crew never fail to amaze, last year was an astonishing team effort, as the photo shows, we know that together we can do this.

    On behalf of these children and their families, a huge THANK YOU.
    Actually, thank you doesn't really come close.

    Us xxx



  • Photo is the collection from last year that went to the Portsmouth group. Star
Welcome to our Chernobyl project for 2017
OP posts:
HoggyTruffle · 13/01/2017 15:04

Wow, huge project this year! I had better get cracking.

Namechangeemergency · 13/01/2017 15:12

I'm in

PolterGoose · 13/01/2017 15:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

UnicornsShitRainbows · 13/01/2017 15:16

i dont knit but i will add some stuff. i am in gloucester too so might see them at some point. its a truly wonderful thing your doing

KnottyAndPistey · 13/01/2017 15:25

Ambitious or what?!


Thank you everyone!


OP posts:
UnicornsShitRainbows · 13/01/2017 15:28

mum is gonna knit/crochet a few squares too, and i am happy to provide some 50p's for ice creams and some goodies for the kids.

bookbook · 13/01/2017 15:29

Well, I will give it a go - will have to multi task a bit with the candy hugs < runs around adding 12 hours to a day> will do what I can!

steppemum · 13/01/2017 15:29

I have yarn left over form last year, but I don't think I have the bands, so don't know what te colours were called.
Can I use it? Are the colours the same?

KnottyAndPistey · 13/01/2017 15:32

Obviously when we say


blankets which are 48 inches by 60m


we mean inches Grin

OP posts:
throwingpebbles · 13/01/2017 15:32

I am totally incapable of crafts (something I wish I could do!) but would love to get some bits together to send.

Also, would you pm me /let me have details of there are any other ways to get jnvolved?

MrsHathaway · 13/01/2017 15:39

As always.

Colours from Classic/Vintage/Trad/Riot etc colourways except the noted exceptions? Does that sound sensible? I can't justify either spending money or adding to stash: must use some up!

Also please add me to construction list. Should I pm for admin purposes?

SoupDragon · 13/01/2017 15:42

seventy blankets??!

PolterGoose · 13/01/2017 15:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheNinjaGooseIsHooking · 13/01/2017 16:01

I'm in, off to pm now Smile

glenthebattleostrich · 13/01/2017 16:04

Are we ok to use some of the colours from candy hugs? I have some blues. If not will buy more yarn at the end of the month (I'll get divorced if I buy more this month, and that's just the balls dh knows about)

I have some smelliest from Christmas and from beauty boxes I'm happy to send too. Are loose (but individually wrapped) towels any use? I have lots of them too.

Final question, is it worth setting up an Amazon list? I'm happy to organise if it's worth while.

JulesJules · 13/01/2017 16:04

I'm IN!! DD1 is IN!!

I will clearly have to teach DD2 to knit too!

Star Wine Gin

SpiralArchitect · 13/01/2017 16:18

I already signed up on FB, but checking in here too.

Dutchoma · 13/01/2017 16:21

I have a duck egg square in the making if that is any good (maybe too pastel) but cannot do a whole blanket this year in the time given, sorry.

inlectorecumbit · 13/01/2017 16:26

I'm in Grin

MadisonAvenue · 13/01/2017 16:28

I'm in, it's a wonderful cause. Will PM you shortly

FiveFlowers · 13/01/2017 16:28

I seem to have quite a little stash of stylecraft yarn so I'll do some squares.

littlenicky61 · 13/01/2017 16:34

Hi

I cant knit but would like to send some of the bits mentioned - can you let me know where to send them to

Thanks x

AnnieLewis · 13/01/2017 16:43

I'm IN!!!! Have a shedload of Stylecraft. Am aiming for a full blanket... do I need to know anything in particular?

Fabulous cause, lived in Kiev for a bit and these kiddos need all the respite and cheer they can get!

TheFairyCaravan · 13/01/2017 17:02

I'm in!

Have Pm'ed.

hotdiggedy · 13/01/2017 17:07

No idea how to knit unfortunately but I'd like to help out too!

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