Thoughtful knitters use skills to support local charity

A group of knitters have taken to their needles to knit over 100 baby items for a local charity’s Christmas Present Appeal.

The Salvation Army in Preston received the generous donation of over 100 handknitted items from the ‘Knit & Natter’ group based at St Anthony’s Church in Fulwood, Preston, for its annual Christmas Present Appeal and to support the babies of Preston that are most in need.

Karen Hardman of Fulwood and a member of the Knit & Natter group said: “We contacted The Salvation Army’s Preston corps (church) to see what they needed and they said they are always in need of new baby clothes for families that are struggling to make ends meet.

“We’re so pleased to be able to create something that will go a long way to helping families when they are most in need at a time that should be joyous for all.”

The donation included rompers, dresses, booties, jumpers, hats, cardigans and a blanket, fitting items as temperatures continue to plummet.

Captain Debs Eaton, church leader of The Salvation Army in Preston said: “We are so thankful to receive this donation which has clearly been created with love and for people that are experiencing times of crisis.

“The number of items included is wonderful and it’s not just about the skill of knitting, it’s the joint effort to support the hardest hit families within our communities demonstrating how a simple act of caring can do so much for so many.”

The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Present Appeal sees new and unwrapped gifts donated to support children aged from 0 - 18 years old. The Salvation Army then packages up the items and distributes them to children and families through its own networks, local schools and social services. The appeal is running until Christmas Eve with donations accepted at its Preston corps (church) located on Harrington Street.