So about 5 months ago I taught myself how to crochet, after seeing an advert for a new crochet magazine on the TV.
Initially, it was quite a funny idea - I was going to knit myself a 'granny blanket', and people joked about how comical it was to see a 22 year old crocheting. But I enjoyed it, and it meant I stopped snacking all the time as my hands were busy crocheting with every bit of wool I could get my hands on.
I've knitted hats for friends and family, and I love giving them to people - but I decided I wanted to do a bit more..
So after browsing the internet for a couple of hours today I have decided to put my new-found crocheting skills to better use. I'm going to crochet bonnets and garments for UK children's charities, and blankets for UK animal shelters.
After looking through various websites, it hit me how much these various volunteers and charities need people to donate their knitting and crochet items, especially some of the smaller ones; it was so sad to read how they struggled to hit their targets for donations due to not enough people being able to volunteer.
One site I came across listed their garment targets they wanted to reach by the end of this year, and it was so sad to see "1,000 premature baby bonnets needed - total received 41".
Now I have no specific target set - but I'm going to do my best to learn some new patterns and donate as many items as I can for these charities.
And I think anyone reading this should do the same - learn a new skill, like crocheting or knitting - and put it to good use, and help out someone less fortunate than yourself.
Below I have listed a few of the charities that I have come across, but obviously there are hundreds - so please, do what you can.
I hope this post can encourage other people to take it upon themselves and do something for these charities.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
-Leanne Leveaux
http://www.snugglesproject.org
-The Snuggles Project is a great charity who provide 'snuggles' (blankets) to animal shelters all over the world.
http://sites.google.com/site/preemiesuk/home
-Preemies UK is a group of volunteers who knit and crochet clothing for premature babies. They're always needing donations and people to volunteer.
http://www.postpals.co.uk
-Post Pals is an amazing project set up for people to send gifts and cards to sick children in the UK. Please also check out the 'TLC' section, for children that are in need of a little more thought this month.
http://cuddles-uk.org
-Cuddles UK is a volunteer, non-profit organisation based in the UK, who supply gowns, blankets and wraps to maternity units all over the United Kingdom. They attempt to support families dealing with the loss of a baby through miscarriage or still birth. Please take a moment to check this site out.
http://www.bonniebabies.co.uk
-Bonnie Babies makes and sends tiny premature clothes, blankets sadly burial outfits to UK special baby care units, and also to the parents who need their support.
