Charity of the month
Knit a menagerie to save the animals.
Animals around the world need the help of knitters. SPANA, a UK-based charity, is calling on knitters to knit a toy to raise funds to help relieve the suffering of working animals.
The charity provides veterinary treament to sick and injured animals in the world’s poorest communities, and educates people about animal welfare. Like all charities, they need funds to carry out their essential work, and knitters can get involved by being a part of SPANA’s Big Knit for Vets campaign.
TOY MENAGERIE
Val Pierce, one of Simply Knitting’s own designers, has created a menagerie of toys to represent the animals the charity helps. There’s Duncan the donkey, Hattie the horse, Oscar the ox and Emma the elephant. Crocheters can hook Clarence the camel.
“I loved designing all the animals and I can’t say I have a favourite,” Val tells us. “Emma has such a sweet face, though, and she’s the easiest to knit. She has fewer bits and pieces to add and is knitted all in one colour. Her head does have a little bit of shaping to do, but as long as you follow the pattern carefully it should be fairly straightforward.”
ANIMAL APPEAL
The charity is appealing to knitters worldwide to download a free pattern and raise at least £20 for each knitted animal.
“Some people sell theirs to raise money,” says Kirsty Brzeczek, Head of Supporter Care at SPANA. “Others raise sponsorship while they knit and then donate their animals to SPANA – we then find them homes in our animal clubs for schoolchildren in Africa. The children love the animals and they continue to help spread SPANA’s animal welfare messages to the next generation of animal owners in Africa.”
Since the charitable campaign started in 2013, more than 10,000 people have requested or downloaded the patterns. “The response from knitters has been wonderful,” Kirsty says. “The campaign has raised more than £15,600, which is incredible! It seems knitters really enjoy using their skills to do something positive and help animals in need.”
One supporter, Joy Knight, said she was sponsored to make all five animals and then sold them to friends and family, and raised a tidy little sum for the charity!
Joy says: “As an animal lover the project means a great deal to me. Cruelty can be inflicted on animals through lack of education, food and medicines. SPANA exists to help both the animals and their owners. I hope my contribution, however small, will make a difference.”
Marie Robinson, another supporter, says: “I wanted to give it a go as I’m learning to knit and it’s a great way to raise money for those of us less inclined to do things like bungee jumping! The patterns are simple to follow and quick to make, even for a novice like me!”
“SPANA exists to help animals and their owners. I hope my contribution will make a difference.