It was beyond wonderful for us to visit Belarus in April 2019, meet again some of the children who had come to the UK (Bristol) in 2018 and see our Chernobyl blankets in their homes, just a few of these below. We could see how treasured and loved they were and it renewed our energy and passion for this project. And so we are delighted to say….
Welcome to our Chernobyl Project 2020!
A reminder of why we do what we do is at the bottom. We are launching early as 2020 is going to be even bigger than ever as we hope to reach even more children. Also our first group (Portsmouth arrive at the end of February this year!)
We are in the process of writing to all groups we have previously supported to get an idea of numbers and now have other groups contacting us asking to be on board, and obviously we’d all like to help as many as possible! Now then, this is early days to predict, but we are thinking it is going to be between 175 and 200! Can we do this?! As soon as we know which groups we will be supporting again we will let you know! Hopefully when we come back after Christmas.
Not all groups host every year, but these are the groups we have helped so far, and aim to continue to do so.
Aberdeen
Ayrshire
Bristol
Chet and Waveney (Norfolk)
Dublin
Fife
Gloucester/Glossop (children split their trip between these two)
Isle of Wight
Mid Glamorgan
Mid Suffolk
Northamptonshire (Helpston)
Portsmouth
Shropshire
St Ives
Swindon
Yeovil and Sherborne
Here’s how you can help for 2020….
Squares. We need SQUILLIONS of twelve inch squares in the Stylecraft Special DK palette as in photo and listed at the bottom of the page, if 12 is too much, 6 inch squares are fine too, just this yarn in these colours please, inc for embellishments so the blankets come together and are consistent for wash and wear. Knit and crochet equally welcome, beginner or expert, as simple or complex as you like, single colour, multi colour. Design of square up to you, but not too lacy, they need to be hardy. Please use a 4mm hook or needles. If sizing is a challenge with your pattern/tension, we prefer them just under sized rather than over!
SO IMPORTANT! Please ensure you knot off every end/colour change very very securely, leave approx a 6 inch tail end and use a needle to sew in. These blankets have to be super sturdy as there is no way back to fix them if squares collapse. All ends must be sewn in.
SQUARES TO BE POSTED TO SOUTHSEA PLEASE
Whole blankets We know some crafters love to make their own whole blankets and this is wonderful! We ask you message us to let us know, so we have some idea of numbers of squares needed. Please use SSDK. Finished blanket size remains the same at 48inches by 60 inches, and please work within the colour palette as this makes it much easier when blankets are gifted. If circumstances change and you can no longer make a whole blanket, LET US KNOW! Thank you so so much x
WHOLE BLANKETS TO BE POSTED TO TEDDINGTON PLEASE.
Last posting to be April 12th, but earlier will be enormously helpful, thank you.
The 2020 Palette
Aspen
Aster
Bluebell
Boysenberry
Bright pink
Candy floss
Citron
Claret
Cloud blue
Cornish Blue
Cypress
Denim
Duck egg
Emperor
Empire
Fondant
Fuchsia pink
Grape
Grass green
Kelly green
Lapis
Lavender
Lime
Lipstick
Lobelia
Magenta
Meadow
Mustard
Pale Rose
Parchment
Petrol
Pistachio
Plum
Pomegranate
Raspberry
Saffron
Sage
Sherbert
Shrimp
Spearmint
Spice
Storm blue
Teal
Tomato
Turquoise
Violet
Extras for the children.
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. We have spoken with all groups receiving this year about what they would like and have an adapted list of extras, please note, no shampoo, shower gel this year. We will be adding some of these things to our Amazon wish-list if that helps.
New underwear, pants/socks boys and girls, age 8-12
Children’s Gloves
High factor suncream
Toothbrushes, single packed please
Toothpaste
Hairbrushes
Bars of soap, wrapped as singles.
Sanitary towels
Plasters
Insect bite pens
Cold sore cream
Lip balms
Small tubes or tubs of Sudacrem
Children’s vitamins
Vegetable seeds (tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, beetroot, gherkins)
Menthol type cough lozenges
Big and strong long life shopping bags
Tea and instant coffee, packets please
Any little luxuries that 8-12 year olds might love, eg nail varnish, fun stationery, temporary tattoos, little toys with LEDs, mini torches, , hair clips, make up bits, mini lego kits, fun/brightly coloured sunglasses, stickers etc.
Hugs for Heads 2020
After the success last year, we thought how lovely it would be to send all children a cosy hat to take home with their blanket this year, so introduced Hugs for Heads, if you would like to knit or crochet a cosy child’s hat size age 12 to adult in machine washable yarn, we would love to receive it for them. The pattern is up to you., we do have yarn available, please message us. Posting any time from January 2020!
For anyone who needs, just a quick reminder about the project!
For the last few years we have been making warm, comforting Little Hugs for Belarusian and Ukrainian teenagers and children visiting the UK for recuperative holidays during the summer with the fabulous charity the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline, Chernobyl Children’s Project and the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children. 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 homeland for a few weeks of fresh air and clean food. The rates of childhood cancer are incredibly high and often visiting 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. It is a lovely thing for us to do to make these children a special cuddly blanket to take home. One child last year said to his interpreter it was like having a big hug from his Gran. Beautiful.
Thank you so much everyone!