Which Pembrokeshire mental health fundraising group has over 300 volunteers throughout the UK and can boast £80,000 raised in three years?
The answer is Knit for Mental Health, set up by Jane and Anthony George to raise awareness and money for mental health charities - and encourage others to make positive choices. And on December 14, they are holding an Open House event at their house in Jameston, enabling you to give twice this Christmas. Read on for details.
In July 2020, Jane and Anthony lost their 19-year-old son Llŷr to mental health.
“Losing a loved one by suicide is something that happens to other people, other families – until one day it happens to you. And then your world comes crashing down.”
Yet through knitting, Jane found a way through all the grief and guilt that ensued. She told the Telegraph: “Eventually, I went to see a friend, who suggested I start knitting again, which my mum taught me as a child. So I ordered some wool. While I was knitting, I didn’t think of anything except the pattern, which gave me peace.”
She began making small things and giving them to anyone who came to the house, until her husband suggested they sell some to raise money for mental health charities, and the response was overwhelming.
They were soon inundated with orders, so their son Dr Alex George (A&E doctor and former Love Island contestant) used his Instagram account to round up helpers. Soon, knitters, label designers, packaging makers, donations of yarn, needles and loving messages of support found their way to Jane, and a countrywide mental health fundraising movement was born.
In 2021, Alex was appointed Youth Mental Health Ambassador by the then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Immediately after Alex set up @knitformentalhealth on Instagram, Jane and Anthony had hundreds of people wanting to knit for them, all over the world.
The love, hard work and generosity of all these makers has benefitted many mental health charities - especially those supporting young people, for whom far more support is needed in the UK. Locally, the charities include DPJ Foundation, Mind Pembrokeshire, Get the Boys a Lift, and others.
Every fortnight, Jane visits Pembrokeshire College with volunteer Erica Jones to encourage craft. They work with a group of amazing young people making friendship bracelets, bumble bees, gonks; learning to crochet and knit, and Sarah and the learners at Pembrokeshire college ran a stall selling Knit for Mental Health items at their Christmas fair, raising a huge £257.
Knit for Mental Health community creations are sold through various pop-up shops throughout the year - at Llandeilo, at the County Show, at the Big Retreat in Lawrenny and currently at Top Shop in Carmarthen. They’re also available online via knitformentalhealth.co.uk.
You’ll find hand-knitted bags, blankets, doggy bits and pieces, gloves, hats, headbands, neck warmers, phone cases, scarves, shawls, socks and tea cosies. It’s the ideal opportunity to ‘give twice’ this Christmas. There’s even a seasonal range, with baubles, cards, plus a very special Father and Mother Christmas knitted decoration - all handmade.
On Saturday, December 14, it’s Open House at Green Grove, Jameston, Pembrokeshire SA70 8QJ. Everyone is welcome to browse beautifully handmade items being sold for an excellent cause; the Knit for Mental Health shop will be open between 10am and 4pm.