"I have supported numerous causes since my win but I feel now, more than ever, is the time for action and to help others in any way we can."
Susan Crossland
As the country is in lockdown in a bid to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, National Lottery winners across Yorkshire have been rallying in an effort to bring relief to elderly and vulnerable people.
Led by Lotto winner Susan Crossland, from Mirfield, the winners have been knitting around the clock for Age Concern, creating Twiddlemuffs and other items on their wishlist.
The team of winning volunteers rallied after social distancing and lockdown rules were implemented by the Government.
They wanted to ensure they put their time at home to good use – and to a use which would benefit others.
Susan, who has been knitting for various charities since her £1.2M Lotto win, said, “I have supported numerous causes since my win but I feel now, more than ever, is the time for action and to help others in any way we can.
“I decided to rally the support of fellow National Lottery winners who I know are keen knitters to bring some practical help and hopefully a smile to faces following these difficult times.”
Age Concern has agreed to distribute the items which have been knit by the National Lottery winners to hundreds of vulnerable and elderly as soon as the lockdown restrictions are lifted and it is safe to hand-out such items.
The focus of the latest knitting campaign has been around Twiddlemuffs which are used to both provide comfort and also to stimulate older minds.
Twiddlemuffs are double thickness hand muffs with bits and bobs attached inside and out, such as buttons, pompoms, textured and shiny objects. They are designed to provide stimulation for restless hands and patients living with dementia.
Suzanne Carr, CEO, from Age Concern Central Lancashire, said, “This is a great example of a small deed that can go along way …these will definitely bring lots of smiles to our dementia customers and particularly their carers at this difficult time.”
Cheryl Brudenell, from Stockton on Tees, scooped £1M on The National Lottery in 1997.
She is one of the winners who has joined the Lotto Twiddlemuff group.
Cheryl said, “It’s so important to use whatever skills we have to help the community right now.
“I have focussed a lot of my efforts on knitting for premature babies but I am delighted to now be joining Susan in this latest campaign.”
The winners have also been knitting cannula covers for special care baby units across the country, together with colour-coded clothes for premature babies enabling staff members to instantly see the care they require according to the colour of their clothing. These and other items will be handed over as soon as the charities are happy to receive them.
