Knitting for some worthy causes
NEWMARKET knitting and crochet group was set up a few years ago to give people a chance to get together and share their passion for various crafts.
Spokesperson for the group Rita Guiney said that since it was established, the group has made and donated many items to worthy causes.
“This year The Blanket of Hope Cork was our chosen charity, and we were delighted to welcome Ann Goggin, Nora Carr, and Margaret Singleton Kelleher last Friday when we presented them with 23 blankets and two beautiful shawls” Rita told The Corkman.
As well as the obvious comfort a blanket provides, these beautiful pieces are infused with hope and support for anyone suffering from cancer.
Linda Goggin James of the Cork Cancer Care Centre speaking said: “Our Blankets of Hope are accompanied with information about our wonderful centre, which was founded by Ann Dowley Spillane in 2012.
“Ann subsequently established the Blankets of Hope project in 2014 when she asked some volunteers to crochet or knit blankets for those on the journey with cancer,” Linda said.
“The Blankets originally went to all oncology hospitals in Cork, but as word spread through our leaflets – which are in hospitals, our website and Facebook – we started to hand out blankets from our Centre as well as posting them out nationwide through requests from others who were also on the journey,” she explained.
Founder Ann Downey Spillane’s wish was that everyone on the journey with cancer would find comfort and support at the Cork Cancer Care Centre, where counselling and holistic therapies are provided free of charge to cancer patients and their families or carers. This helps them get through this enormously difficult time in their lives. Ann sadly passed away in October 2017, but her legacy lives on.
“Our volunteers knitters – whether they be groups, clubs, ICA guilds, schools, or individuals – knit or crochet blankets for us,” Linda said.
“We deliver every two weeks to hospitals, and where before we would have handed out six to 10 blankets every month, we now hand out blankets every two weeks, with approximately 50 to 60 blankets between all the oncology units in Cork.
“We also give handmade teddies, shawls, and recently baby blankets are being sent to St James’ Hospital in Dublin” Linda added.
This is now a significant aspect of the Cork Cancer Care Centre, where they offer comfort through blankets and then back that up with services at the Centre. And locally the Newmarket ladies are delighted to welcome new members to their group at the CYMS Hall every Friday between 10.30am and 12 noon.