THE YOURS EFFECT
One thing that’s not changed over the years is the kindness of our readers. Charities and organisations we mention are inevitably inundated with donations or offers of help. Animal sanctuary owner Elizabeth McDonagh was astounded by your generosity when she received more than £16,000 in donations from readers.
Likewise, Bliss, the premature baby charity, was overwhelmed when we asked you to knit baby clothes and hats for them. Following that, readers knitted yellow ducks to raise awareness of organ donation and, when we gave readers a pattern to sew a simple dress for the Dress a Girl charity, we were thrilled with the thousands of beautifully made outfits that were sent in to be shipped off to help provide dignity to young girls in Africa.
Your generosity also allowed us to name and train a Guide Dog puppy. We followed Keller through his training and gave ‘pupdates’ until he was paired with his owner.
Knowing readers’ passion for animals, for a number of years we partnered with PAT Dogs, asking Yours readers to vote for the Pets as Therapy Dog of the Year, which was presented in a special ceremony at Crufts.
We have also partnered with Marie Curie for several years, supporting and raising awareness for their work. They too were inundated with knitting when we printed a teddy pattern. And editor Sharon Reid took on one of their endurance challenges, walking the 13 Tors Trek in 2019.
For our 400th issue last year you shocked us once again. We invited readers to help us plant 400 trees in a Yours Forest, but you more than doubled our expectations – donating enough to plant 942 trees.
■ To find out more about our latest campaign to help save hedgehogs turn to page 66.