GET your knitting needles at the ready for the 2009 sponsored knit-in for the British Red Cross.
Islanders will be going knitting nutty this autumn as the annual fundraising event takes place between October 12 to 18.
The event not only raises money to support Red Cross services on the Island — including the fire and emergency support service, medical equipment loan, and therapeutic care — but all the knitted items will be shipped to orphanages in Africa, via the Mother Teresa charity.
Already this year, the Red Cross responded when extreme snow hit the south east in February, supporting statutory health and care services, and gave vital support after the Italian earthquake, providing water and thousands of hot meals and warm blankets in the tent camps set up for people made homeless by the disaster.
Island fundraiser Lesley Insley said: "The 2008 event was a great success and the Red Cross received almost £450 in sponsorship and many bags of knitted teddies and layettes.
"This year we are hoping to raise even more to help more people in crisis on the Island and across the world.
"It’s easy to take part in the Red Cross knit-in. You can enter individually or invite your friends round for a coffee morning and get them to bring their knitting needles and some wool."
• For a sponsor form and knitting pattern, contact Lesley on 01983 537816 or linsley@redcross.org.uk.
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk