Badge of honour for collector with 6,000 charity emblems
FROM THE Muppets to Spiderman, and puffins to Action Man, Wendy Knipe has every kind of charity pin badge you can imagine.
The 38-year-old Filey-based carer has been collecting charity badges since she was aged 13 – her first purchase was three Dennis the Menace enamel pins from Debenhams – and she now has more than 6,000.
Among the charities represented are Age Concern, McMillan Nurses, RNLI, RSPCA, British Heart Foundation, Kidney Research and Tommy’s.
One close to her heart is Circle of Life – a range of charities that help people with brain injuries. Three years ago, Miss Knipe had a brain tumour removed and now has an aluminium plate in her head. She helps out on a fundraising stall in Filey.
“I am alive and glad to be putting something back,” said Miss Knipe. “I love collecting charity badges.
“They are so full of character and colourful – and I am also helping the charity they represent.”
The latest addition to her collection is a pin badge marking the 50th anniversary of RSPB Bempton Cliffs, as part of her collection of 1,500 RSPB badges, featuring all kinds of wildlife.