The Isle of Wight County Press's Wight Warmers Knit-in challenge set out to collect 200 new, hand-knitted items to keep Islanders warm this Christmas.
We are delighted to reveal your hard work has meant we were able gather more than 200 blankets, around 120 hats, over 80 scarves, plus gloves and other items on top - about 500 warm items in all and in time for the big day!
It's time to say a huge thank you to the knitters, sewing experts and crocheters who crafted these incredible items in just a matter of weeks.
The idea was to support Islanders worried about rising energy costs this winter and those facing the choice between heating and eating.
Aspire Ryde's Karen Eeles and Joost Spit
The challenge was to grab your knitting needles, crochet hooks and sewing kits, and craft blankets, hats and scarves in time for Christmas.
We had drop-off points across the Isle of Wight.
Among those helping us collect items was Ryde's Aspire Ryde, on Dover Street, where scores of woollies were handed in.
In October, the organisation's Trevor Nicholas called Wight Warmers Knit-in a welcome initiative.
He said: "We are seeing the impact of the rise in heating costs daily at Aspire Ryde."
Aspire Ryde's Karen Eeles has thanked Ryde residents who dropped items to the project's converted church HQ.
She said: "It's great to have seen so many people bringing in blankets, hats and scarves."
The community project has also been handing out its own warm kits.
Ventnor High Street’s Better Days Cafe Inclusion Hub collected items and has been handing them out too.
Its owner even pledged a free drink for crafters dropping items in.
There, hats are free to grab from the counter and there are blankets, scarves and gloves available too.
Also handing out items to those who need them most is an Isle of Wight food pantry, on the Oakfield Primary School site, in Ryde.
Jane Puttock, food pantry assistant, told us more than 50 people use the project, which has been open since June.
She said the blankets, hats, scarves and gloves will be left out for customers to take as they need.
She accepted your donations alongside Gav Scovell, site manager.
In Newport, our first donation of 25 blankets, the same number of hats and also some scarves and sets of woollies have almost gone already.
They are being handed out to members and users of the charity Pan Together, which runs a warm space, food pantry and other vital projects.
From Pan Together, Rachel Thompson said the items had gone down really well.
Laura Byrne, chair of trustees, and Kimberly Allen accepted the donations earlier this month.
Read more:
- Isle of Wight Wight Warmers Knit-In donations for Pan Together
- Pan Together Isle of Wight food pantry supports residents
In November, the West Wight Sports and Community Centre told us it was expecting a 'difficult winter ahead' for the residents it supports.
This week, we delivered more than 30 blankets, as well as some scarves, hats and gloves, to bolster what had been collected there.
Some have been left in community spots, for passers-by to pick up while others will be handed to those who use the centre's support groups.
Among those who have been helping knit items are members of the Isle of Wight's WI network, knit and natter groups and individual crafters.
- Have you been knitting something for our appeal and not had time to deliver it to a drop-off point?
- We will continue to collect items into the New Year, when temperatures will remain low.
- Contact lucym@iwcpmail.co.uk for details of where to drop your donation.
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