Kentish Express Ashford & District
Knitting marathon will benefit the homeless
In 2015 they united to cycle nearly 3,000 miles to raise money for their church.
Now the congregation and friends of St Mary’s Smeeth are set to use their hands rather than their feet for their next charity marathon.
During Lent 2017 St Mary’s Smeeth plans to conduct the Big Knit.
Church warden Anne Puttick said: “We will knit 28 patchwork blankets for a hostel for the homeless in Canterbury and 12 cot blankets for a Church Housing scheme for mothers and babies. That’s 40 patchwork blankets to be knitted, sewn and edged in 40 days.
“The centre of activity will be St Mary’s Oak Room where there will be knitting and sewing sessions and knitting lessons for those who have never knitted or need a refresher course.
“We hope to involve the whole community. We will need 12,276 10cm (4inch) squares which will involve a lot of knitting – and a lot of wool!”
The cast on date for the Big Knit is Thursday, March 2 and the volunteer knitters aim to finish on Monday, April 10.
The previous charity cycle event, which saw volunteers cover the equivalent distance from Smeeth to Jerusalem (2,992.5 miles) on a static bike was held at the same venue and was a great success.
In all 268 people participated and over £3,500 was raised for church funds.
Anne Puttick added: “If anyone would like to help by knitting, sewing or donating wool they would be very welcome.
“There will be signs outside the Oak Room indicating when sessions will be taking place and there will be information in the Parish News.
Boxes will appear in the village giving the opportunity for you to donate any spare wool you may have.”
Anyone unable to knit can make a donation to St Mary’s via their Just Giving Page or at http://www.justgiving.com/ TheBigKnit