Gerry’s knitting is a major charity boost
LOUGHBOROUGH’S Gerry Walker has been knitting a vast array of garments for the town’s Vista charity shop.
Vista provides support and services to almost 12,000 children and adults with sight loss throughout Leicestershire and Rutland.
As well as rehabilitation, social groups, befriending and residential services, Vista also provide specialist services for people with learning disabilities, dementia and dual sensory impairment.
Born and bred in Loughborough, Gerry, and her husband David of 41 years, came back to the area five years ago after a long period living in Spain.
Whilst in Spain, Gerry was diagnosed with macular degeneration and suffered with depression and anxiety as a result. Her family were very keen for her to return to the UK where they could support her. Her daughter Leanne got in touch with Vista and Gerry became a member.
Gerry had learned to knit as a small child but until about 12 months ago had not picked up a pair of knitting needles for over 25 years.
With failing eyesight Gerry found her own way of knitting the vast array of garments she has now gifted to the Loughborough charity shop, which include hats, scarves, berets, tops and dresses.
Through Gerry’s kind donations of the items she has knitted, the Loughborough charity shop have raised hundreds of pounds for which shop manager Troy
Shackleford and team are incredibly grateful.
The shop has provided some of the wool but as you can imagine it could always do with more, as Gerry knits throughout the year.
Gerry and David would like to say a special thank you to family members Kevin and Linda Freer who gave over 100 balls of wool.
A Vista spokesperson added that if anybody has any wool they could donate please do drop it into any one of is charity shops so that we can pass it on to Gerry for some happy knitting.
Vista has charity shops in: Loughborough, Oakham,
Wigston, Syston, Rothley and Shepshed.