The community in Heywood is coming together to knit to support Ukrainians in need

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A community in Rochdale is knitting and crocheting warm clothing for Ukrainians in need. Mandy's Wool Shop in Heywood is hosting a 'commit to knit' campaign, where people can knit or crochet items which will go directly to Ukrainians in need.

Items could include baby clothes, scarves, jumpers, hats, gloves, blankets and even cuddly toys. The wool shop is giving away free balls of wool to anyone who is willing to knit items for the campaign.

READ MORE: British Red Cross needs volunteers to help raise funds for Ukraine this week - how to apply

The knitting campaign is being funded by Heywood transportation company Sharp Freight International.

Owner of Mandy's Wool Shop Lynda Spaven, 59, from Heywood, decided to start a knitting campaign for Ukraine after completing a similar campaign last year.

She explained: "Last year, I did a 'commit to knit' campaign, making hats for the homeless in our local area. We had a really good response from people.

"We had around 150 hats come in, but people were still bringing them in. So I thought , ‘well, we’ve got hats here, and we’ve also got odd balls of wool here, so how about we do a 'commit to knit' to making hats, gloves and blankets for the people of Ukraine?'

"A company in Heywood has donated some money and I have put some money in so that we are able to give away some balls of wool if people are willing to knit or crochet for that purpose."

Lynda described the response to the knitting campaign as "amazing".

She continued: “On Facebook, we had over 200 responses and shares. People are coming in for wool and some people said they’ve already got things knitted, that they wanted to bring in and donate.

"Other people said ‘I will make a blanket’ or ‘I will make a hat’ or ‘I’ve got some balls of wool myself’.

"We've already got eight bags of donations and people have brought scarves and baby clothes in. It’s been remarkable, to see how many donations are coming in and to see how kind people are."

Additionally, Lynda said that people of different ages are engaging with the knitting campaign.

"We've had a few young people, 15 year-olds who knit or crochet, who want to get their grans involved with the campaign," Lynda said. " A lot of people are knitting, crocheting and bringing knitted items to the shop. It's giving them a sense of purpose.

“Times are hard for people, so it’s overwhelming [to see the response]. I think it shows the community spirit in Heywood. Heywood is an amazing place for that."

Originally from Crumpsall, north Manchester, Lynda grew up with a large Ukrainian community.

She added: "I used to go to the Ukrainian community centre in Cheetham Hill. I knew a lot of Ukrainian people, so I feel a bit of an allegiance with them.

"You feel helpless when you look at the news and you wonder, what can we do for these people and the horrendous situation they are going through?"

Carole Kay, 71, from Heywood, donated several items that she had already knitted.

She said: "I like to knit in the evenings- it's quite therapeutic. I had a basket full and a big bag full of clothes, so I took them into the wool shop.

"I had little jumpers, jackets, hats, matching mittens- pretty little things. If it keeps any little soul warm, then that's good.

"You can only do your bit to try and help. If everybody did a bit, however big, however small, then that would help.

"I just hope and pray we won't need to keep doing it- not that we don't want to, but it's heart-breaking to see what's happening in Ukraine."

Vanessa Eastwood, 48, from Heywood, donated a blanket to the wool shop's campaign.

She said: "I had seen on Facebook that the wool shop was asking for donations. I took in a blanket that I'd crocheted. I crochet blankets and usually sell them and give the money to The Christie Hospital, but I decided to support the wool shop's campaign because of the situation that Ukraine are going through.

"They need the help. It's mainly the kids that I feel sorry for."

Joe Sharp, Director of Sharp Freight International said: "It’s no surprise to anyone that Lynn at Mandy’s Wool Shop would get involved with charity work for the Ukraine Appeal. So when we heard that she was arranging the knitting campaign, we at Sharp Freight Ltd were glad to help, just not in the knitting!

"Sharp Freight are more than happy to fund the appeal, as much as she needs to carry out the amazing work she and her colleagues are doing.

"If all local businesses and people across the country can help in some way, then suffering of the Ukrainian people may ease just a little, if it brings some warmth and maybe a smile to a child’s face, in this time of sadness and fear, then it has done its job."

To donate knitwear or receive free wool to knit for the Ukraine campaign, contact Mandy's Wool Shop on Facebook or Instagram or visit the wool shop at 19 Bamford Road, Heywood, OL10 4TA.

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