In the last six months the Prospect Hospice Knitting Group have raised a staggering £1760 for Prospect Hospice. The group, who meet fortnightly in St Peter’s Church, use any unwanted wool that has been donated to the Marlborough Prospect Hospice shops. They turn it into colourful and stylish items to be sold in the Prospect Hospice shop.
The group was first formed in 2013 and has raised significant funds for Prospect Hospice. Group organiser, Kay Arthur, told Marlborough.news, “The demand for hand-knitted goods is increasing all the time. Handknitted children’s and babies’ clothes are back in fashion. The fact that we are recycling unwanted wool is also attractive to customers.”
The group, and some knitters who work from home, make scarves, hats, gloves, wrist warmers, cushion covers, baby clothes, beanies and bobble hats. Orders can be taken in the Prospect Hospice shop.
“It is important to keep up with the trends,” explained Sally Lanfear, one of the founder members of the group.
“The trouble with bobble hats is each year the bobble style changes and if you don’t have the right style it’s not wanted!” added Kay.
Knitting together becomes a real social activity and the group appreciate how welcome they have been made by the staff of St Peter’s Coffee Shop. “We enjoy getting together and sharing ideas, it’s inspiring,” commented Sally.
For another member, Glen Mathias, the group encourages creativity. “We are governed a bit by the wool we get donated and you have to decide how best to use it – what you will create. There’s also huge satisfaction in raising money from wool that would have just gone to waste.”
“We always want more knitters and we always want wool.” If you can help contact Kay Arthur on 01672 564410 or email kayarthur@btinternet.com