WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo (Chrissie) touched the lives of so many, ours included, and it is incredibly sad to think she is gone. Leslie was an extraordinary generous, compassionate soul and we were lucky to know her, she was inspirational and gave unstinting support to many people on this site and elsewhere too. She was just 28 when she died, only 21 when she was diagnosed with a genetic colon cancer. Life has been very cruel, absolutely tragic.
Leslie was an absolute rock to those folk on the Mumsnet cancer support threads, she organised them for years, always making time for others even when she was so ill herself, many handholds offered, gently encouraging, wise beyond her years, and the threads that still run are a legacy, a truly loving, giving, supportive safe place.
She was an absolute stalwart on the Woolly Hug threads, always ready to join in, ready to help someone else. She and her parents have made so many gorgeous things over the years, super snuggly scarves and mittens for refugees, Billie’s Blankets for children with cancer. Extraordinary. So many children and adults feeling their love and support, both at home in the UK and much further afield.
There arenāt enough words to explain how highly we thought of her, how much she was loved on here. We can all learn from her, anyone who came into contact with her did.
Our wonderful Chernobyl project will undoubtably feel the greatest impact, see the message from Dennis their CEO below. Visits are being cancelled and postponed and the situation regarding the later summer visits is very up in the air. We do though know how much the children and families love our blankets and the tradition of them and so are determined to keep making and get blankets to them, either through their rescheduled visits or out to them. See Cecilia’s message from the Helpston group below. Can’t bear to think how disappointed this year’s cohort will be š Ā So let’s keep going, so that we are ready as soon as they are.Ā We are lucky as have recently acquired storage for a very low rate so arenāt worried about that part.
In terms of posting to us. the next deadline is for Chernobs and it is April 12th. We are very happy for folk to keep posting, but please no one go out of their way or make a special trip and we will see where we are in April.
We are setting up an extra Woolly Hugs Facebook page for anyone who would like to join. We see this as being a chatty/social page but also one where if anyone is stuck for help they can post and we can endeavour to find a local Woolly Hugger who can help with groceries etc. We also know we have quite a few wonderful crafters in the 70+ bracket and are keen to be able to help, not only those beauties but anyone who finds themselves in isolation.. Will add a link very soon! the Torties are keen to run this page and we are going to have to let them down gently. It would be CHAOS!
Our Spring Craft Sale is delayed a week. We had gone very early with this because of the (now cancelled) Gloucester Hugathon and have struggled to be ready in time! We have no excuses really it has just totally snuck up on us! It will now run between Wednesday 25th and Sunday 29th March. We’d love your support in our Craft Sale, all funds are due to go into our Chernobyl project and we shall need them more than ever if we are to deliver blankets further afield!
Sending so much love to everyone at this uncertain time, but please do keep crafting! THANK YOU SO MUCH.
G&G xxxxx
We have deliberately not been posting on Facebook regarding the Coronavirus situation as we did not want to add to the growing amount of misinformation and panic being spread. We would urge our friends and supporters not to subscribe to this regarding the visits of the Chernobyl children. The following is the most up to date information, anything else can only be conjecture:
The Belarusian authorities have suspended the visits of all groups of children to the UK for the Spring holiday period. This currently only applies to group travel and not private individuals . As of yet we have no further confirmation regarding future visits. Regrettably some decisions have to be made well ahead of the scheduled visit dates due to the visa application process. Obviously we must take a sensible and responsible approach and are monitoring the situation on a daily basis. We must be considerate of both our hosts and supporters and the children and their families. We are as disappointed as you will be. We hope you will all remain positive and look to a time when things will return to normal and we are able to continue our work which remains as important as ever in these difficult times.
We wish you all the very best and hope you keep well.
Dennis & The Board of Trustees
As I expect you have already realised, very sadly our Chernobyl Children are not visiting this summer. We still have some hope for a shorter visit this autumn. We also have plans to get aid out to the families, so we will still be taking blankets and teddies once the emergency situation is over. Such a shame for the children and I know that the mothers will be worrying about how to cope without the warm clothing, vitamins, toothpaste etc that they always receive each year.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful work that you do. The blankets and teddies are really loved by the children and it is always wonderful to see your cheerful blankets on the beds of the children! Please give my best wishes to your lovely ladies and gentlemen. Things will soon be back to normal and our work will be underway again.
Oh this is far too cute in lavender and spring green and sitting approx 25cm. we are in love!
Terms: spring-craft-sale-2020
Helen bid £12.10 on 29 March 2020 8:58 PM
Amanda Quartley bid £11.60 on 27 March 2020 9:07 AM
Helen bid £9.10 on 26 March 2020 4:16 PM
Ruth bid £9.00 on 25 March 2020 4:07 PM
Catherine C bid £7.10 on 25 March 2020 12:09 PM [auto]
Saul Sproson bid £7.00 on 25 March 2020 12:09 PM
Catherine C bid £4.60 on 25 March 2020 12:09 PM
Donata de Reus bid £4.10 on 25 March 2020 9:02 AM
Amanda bid £4.00 on 25 March 2020 8:30 AM
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Shipping Details
Shipping: P&P inc within the UK, if further afield pls contact us.
From: UK
To: Worldwide
Payment Details
Pay via PayPal : admin@woollyhugs.com
We are a Cooperative account in the name of Woolly Hugs
Account number: 65579631
Sort code: 089299
Please add a note with your name.
If you would rather send cash or cheque (payable to Woolly Hugs) please do to the address below, please include your name. We will let you know it has arrived safely.
Woolly Hugs
c/o 22 Bridgeman Road
Teddington
TW11 9AH
Help Father Frost! The Christmas Stocking Project 2020
Stocking are made very early as due to transporting them over to Belarus goes, they leave when the summer visitors go back and go into safe storage! They will be given to the children around the time of the orthodox Christmas early January 2021.
Please read carefully as things are different.
We have been given a list of children, names and ages as at the time they will receive their stocking. Initially we have 31.
If you would like to take part, message or email us and we will allocate a child to you. How lovely is this??!! You then make a stocking just for them!
Let’s say no more than 2 children per person, but if you are prepared to make for more, let us know and we can always come back to you. No extras needed this year, just personalised stockings for these children. If we have more donors than children we will take your names in case we get more.
So last posting is Friday 23rd May 2020.
Elizabeth Parker (Mid Suffolk Chernobyl Childrenās Life line link)and her team personally take filled stockingsĀ to Belarus, to the homes/schools of very disadvantaged children. TheirĀ aim is to give the children a real Christmas presentĀ and those they give to have most likely never received a Christmas present before. Ā It is very important to note this is absolutely not one of those shoe box appeals,Ā so these stockings do not include functional toothpaste/brush type items, and there are no strings attached. It is just a wonderful thing to be able to do for some of the most disavanted and sick children.
So message/email for a child’s details, then once you have these please read on! Should anything change and you can’t make the stocking PLEASE PLEASE let us know so that we can sort things out. This is so important, we don’t want any child to be left out.
Even if you took part last year, please do read the instructions, they are absolutely vital to making this work. We are grateful to you, this is a wonderful project. Thank you.
We are looking for home made fabric only please stockings, OR shop bought stockings, we found some Ā on Ebay and Amazon but PLEASE as close to the size below as possible. Ā Then fit it with age appropriate treasure and get it as close to the weight as possible!
Hereās how to helpā¦
Whether it is home made or shop bought, stockings need to be as close to 18cm by 40cm Ā (approx 7ā x 16) which seems to be average standard size of shop bought ones.
The stockings can contain anything that would be considered a Christmas present but for this project, no utility items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste
A list of suggested items is below but these are by no means the only items to be included, feel free to add anything you want!
The gifts inside the stockings must not be wrapped in Christmas paper as this makes it easier if they are stopped at customs.
VERY IMPORTANT āĀ Completed stockings must weigh no more than 650 grams please and need to be able to lie as flat as possible for travelling purposes.
Reiterating the 650g weight limit!
Please send any filled stockings to us wrapped in a carrier bag with a list of the contents jotted down on a bit of paper and the weight in grammes, PLUS THE CHILD”S NAME AND NUMBER
What to put in to a stockingā¦The items listed are only some suggestions, please feel free to add your own items
Liquids may not be sent neither should toy guns, sharps, knives or other weapons etc be sent as someĀ parents might object to these.
No sweets (as the stockings will be in storage in Minsk for a good while, they go over in June, and they can’t guarantee they mightn’t get hot)
A small soft toy
Small ornaments (all children love dogs and cats)
A āBarbieā or Action Man type Doll
temporary tattoos
lip balm
flavoured chapsticks
Magic Gloves
Hair slides, bobble, elastics etc for girls, colourful, sparkly items are really liked.
Girls love all things pink and āblingyā !
Wrist bands for boys
Fridge Magnets are a big favourite
Small logic puzzles, i.e. the ones we use to get where you had to roll a few small balls around and get
them in the right place.
Spinner toys
Bracelets and necklaces for girls
Balsa wood models
Polystyrene plane kits
Small cars or other models
Small windup toys
Marbles ā quite heavy but a few would be ok and the children really love them
Stickers ā all the children seem to collect these
Yo yo
Harmonica
Funny socks and slipper socks are liked very much, particularly if they are āCharacter āones.
Warm tights for girls ā they like bright colors
Small notebook ā pretty ones for girls
Pens, pencils ā biros should be blue not black please, this is for school use, highlighters
colouring pencils
Small coin purses
Pretty notebooks
Pencil case
Any toys with LED lights ā particularly the stretchy/squishy ones
Folding shopping bags (older girls)
Keyrings
Slipper socks
We will have quite a bit of admin this end, so please send any filled stockings to us wrapped in a carrier bag with a list of the contents jotted down on a bit of paper and the weight in grammes. Do make sure you include your child’s name and number which will all help make sure the right stocking goes to the right child! All hail the folk who get these out in Belarus!Ā
Ā Very much an ongoing project. Check the updated sizing. Please post when you are ready, to Teddington.Thank you x
Our Angel Hug project began back in 2012 with a request to make blankets for newborn or very young babies who devastatingly have not survived. At an intensely bleak and dark time there is still something very positive that we can do for the baby and their family. Our blankets are always handmade with love and compassion and so are perfect. We can help care for the whole family at this time by making the baby comfortable and snuggled up whilst sending love and a hug to the parents and wider family. We have been supporting Glasgow Maternity wards, Haven House Hospice in London and are able to support individual families as needed.
Angel Hugs is as always an ongoing project. Traditionally we send plain white Angel Hugs to Glasgow and will continue with this. Haven House Hospice would like us to use the palette. below.
If making an Angel Hug for Haven House Hospice
Single colours only please, using Stylecraft Special DK in these colours only…Duck egg, grape, sage, pale rose, cloud blue
Angel Hugs are to be all white and can be knitted or crocheted in any wool suitable for a baby blanket, so 4ply, DK, just as long as it feels soft and cosy. The design is up to you, but it should be kept simple. Angel Hugs can also be sewn using pure cotton and good quality fleece, again white please and in a simple design.
Minimum size : 32 inches square. Not much bigger please. See Size Up September on the changes. The only exception to this is for those using the Sands pattern, this will continue to be acceptable.Pattern is below. Thank you
Please make sure when you post that you label your blanket as an Angel Hug, we don’t want to get them muddled with Little Hugs.
We know that we have many crafters and donors who have first hand experience of such devastating loss. We understand that this is a very difficult request, but if you can join with us, and are able to help, then we would love to have you on board. From speaking to some of you, we know how incredibly important blankets like these are to those who receive them.
We are setting up an extra Woolly Hugs Facebook page for anyone who would like to join. We see this as being a chatty/social page but also one where if anyone is stuck for help they can post and we can endeavour to find a local Woolly Hugger who can help with groceries etc. We also know we have quite a few wonderful crafters in the 70+ bracket and are keen to be able to help, not only those beauties but anyone who finds themselves in isolation.. Will add a link very soon! the Torties are keen to run this page and we are going to have to let them down gently. It would be CHAOS!
Going for £12.10 Winning: Helen
