Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s annual Winter Woollies campaign has reached a new milestone this year, with residents donating over 3,000 knitted and crocheted items for people in need - almost double last year’s total.
Community groups and organisations, alongside knit-and-natter groups from across the Borough, gathered at Mossley Mill to celebrate and showcase an impressive array of handmade items, including baby clothing, blankets, jumpers, hats and scarves.
This year’s campaign also encouraged contributors to make ‘trauma teddies’, handcrafted teddy bears used by emergency services such as the police, fire service and hospitals to comfort children affected by traumatic or distressing events.
For the second year, the initiative included a ‘wool drive’ which successfully diverted wool and crafting tools from landfill. Almost 2,700 balls of wool were collected, along with hundreds of knitting needles and crochet hooks, ensuring these materials were repurposed for the Winter Woollies campaign.
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, said:
“Winter Woollies showcases the fantastic talent within our Borough and is a great reflection of the generosity and creativity of our local residents. The campaign would be nothing without the kindness of those who dedicate hours to knitting and crocheting items that bring warmth and joy to others. It has become a symbol of community resilience, ensuring that vulnerable neighbours are kept warm and supported during the colder months.”
All donated items have been distributed to 30 registered partner organisations supporting vulnerable residents, including:
- Baby banks and groups supporting children in care
- Organisations helping individuals with disabilities live independently
- Churches providing anti-poverty programmes
- Groups supporting individuals with Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- Befriending services and mental health support organisations
- Services such as the PSNI and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust
- Community Advice services
Further information about Winter Woollies is available online: antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/winter-woollies
Caption: Officers from the Council’s Environmental Health Team Kelly Doyle, Fay Downey, student Sarah McMahon, and Mikayla Cartwright celebrating record donations to the this year’s Winter Woollies campaign with the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Cllr Leah Kirkpatrick (centre)