Knitted hugs are helping Childline
EMILY ACTS TO SUPPORT CHARITY AFTER HEARING DEMAND HAS RISEN
A JUNIOR doctor has started raising money for Childline after hearing about the demand on the service during the pandemic.
Emily Murphy, from Market Harborough, who works at hospitals in the East Midlands, started knitting hearts for friends and family as a “hug”.
She has challenged herself to knit one heart a day between Valentine’s Day and Easter Sunday and is asking for supporters to contribute to Childline via a Just Giving page.
Emily, 38, said: “One of my hobbies is knitting. I like to knit in my down time as I find it relaxing and it helps me to process my day.
“When schools didn’t go back in January a lot of my friends had children at home so I wanted to show them my support.
“Being able to squeeze these knitted hearts acts as a virtual hug but also a bit like a stress ball.
“I heard a radio interview about how the demand on Childline has increased during the pandemic – I hadn’t heard how it was affecting teenagers and young children before and it really moved me.
“The service is more important than ever for children.
“I decided if I was going to do something it would be for Childline.
“I must have knitted 40 hearts in total and I hope these hearts highlight what I’m looking to raise money for.
“Thank goodness I never had to ring Childline myself but we all knew it was there when we were growing up. At the moment I think it’s vital.”
Emily set a fund-raising target of £200, which was surpassed within 24 hours.
She said: “I was so overwhelmed – I have very generous friends and family and I’ve also have a few anonymous donations.
“People have been really kind and people have really gotten behind the cause. I hope I can raise as much money possible with this.”
Since the first lockdown last year to the end of January, Childline said its counsellors have delivered more than 61,000 counselling sessions about mental and emotional health, – 40 per cent of all counselling sessions given by the service.
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