Almost 50 volunteers have joined a Glasgow initiative to knit blankets for those struggling to heat their homes this winter.
Started by Gorbals local Anna Malone, the push to support people struggling against the cost of living crisis has grown to become a citywide effort.
The 69-year-old purchased around £350 worth of wool and knitting needles, which she began to give away around two weeks ago, to anyone who contacted her.
One of the participants is Lidiya Adnew. She recently moved to Royston and hopes to help vulnerable people while she takes care of her daughter, Tigray.
The 24-year-old joined the group of knitters after seeing a post on social media.
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She said: “The idea is so brilliant! The cost of electricity is so high at the moment, I thought it would be nice to join this volunteer group.
“I am just a beginner at knitting, haven’t done much but I am enjoying it a lot and it’s helping people, so it’s a win-win.
“I am a full-time mother at the moment, looking after my baby, so it’s been nice to be a part of this.”
Another one of the volunteers is Marie Fletcher, 65, who heard about the call for blanket-knitters through her church’s noticeboard.
She said: “Since I started out, I have been trying to help Anna spread the word.
“Now, we are finding that our neighbours are getting involved, some are donating materials, some are knitting, so we are pleased with how it’s going.
“I really don’t think that we could be doing something better, this is so nice and it’s also not just to keep them warm but the knowledge that people are caring.
“That somebody has taken the time to make something for them, and that is such a big thing. If somebody does something for me, that is so special.
“Hopefully, people who get the blankets will feel that too, that somebody cares about them.”
The blankets, upon completion, will be donated to a number of charities around Glasgow, to them be given to anyone in need.
With them, the volunteers are also giving away hot water bottles and hand-written notes, including a poem.
About how the idea came to her, the main organiser Anna Malone said: “In the winter, I have always knitted blankets for family and friends and I was watching the news and I thought I need to do something.
“So, that is why I started and by now, I got lots of volunteers by putting it in the bulletins at churches.
“So far, we have almost 50 people, all different stages at knitting, of course, some are just starting and others are well-established.”
The collective so far has donated three blankets but are planning to make much more throughout the winter to support anyone who is having a hard time heating their homes.
The community effort comes as The Glasgow Times raises awareness of the cost of living crisis through our Beat the Squeeze campaign.
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