Meet the knitting nightingales
We discover Nightingale Country Crafts, a charity knitting group based in Aylesbury…
Nightingale Country Crafts (NCC) is the brainchild of former Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity CEO Pat Dodge. More than a decade ago, Pat realised that the charity’s market stall was receiving lots of high quality handmade goods to sell – so much so that there was an opportunity to establish a group of people who would be happy to make items for FNHC to sell at events, or at their shops.
Since its launch in 2008, the NCC group has grown considerably, meaning that items can be sold in the charity’s Wendover and Thame shops as well as at local events throughout the year. Since 2011 the group has also recruited new members who sew and crochet, which has bought a whole new range of items to sell.
KNIT AND NATTER
The group meets monthly at the charity’s head o ce in Aylesbury, with meetings acting as both social occasions and a chance for members to swap admire each other’s handiwork. There are almost 40 members with a range of skill levels, some coming back to knitting after a break while others have knitted and sewn for many years.
Members of the group knit and crochet all sort of items to sell for the Florence Nightingale
Hospice Charity, from baby and toddler clothes and accessories to blankets of all sizes, tea cosies and dolls as well as seasonal items such as Easter chicks and Christmas pudding-shaped chocolate sweet covers! The dressmakers in the group also make sundresses and hats for the summer months.
FEEL-GOOD FUNDRAISING
“Sometimes we only make £140 or so at an event,” says Jan Adams, who has run the group since 2011. But with local charities that do such important work, every little helps. “The hospice told us that they had a lady who was in terrible pain from lying on her side, but she couldn’t lie any other way. They bought her a gel pad that cost only £20, but it took away her pain, and gave her comfort for the rest of her time. With the ladies doing the knitting and contributing, you’re buying somebody comfort. It all adds up to something useful and that is great.
“Making something for NCC to sell is very satisfying, we have put our hobbies to good use. It keeps us busy, we enjoy what we do and we know it’s going to a cause which we support and love.”
The ladies who knit, sew and crochet for NCC normally pay for all of the materials they need, but on occasion supporters of the charity donate good wool and other materials. These donations are gratefully received.
Want to know more? To find out more about NCC and the fundraising work they do, visit www.fnhospice.org.uk/help-us/knit-and-sew.