Letters / Winter clothing appeal
I make, and collect donations from others around Shetland, knitted, sewn and crocheted items for charities.
Only those charities that use the items direct for people in need are supported.
In this way our work benefits people directly and is not sold for pennies. I also fundraise to pay for the postage to get these items from Shetland to the charities.
This is all done under the umbrella of Loving Hands – a group of people nationwide who support charities through crafting.
You can see what has been happening in Shetland by looking at our Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/LovingHandsShetland
One of the charities we support is Operation Orphan and I have been selected to go on an expedition to Moldova with them in October.
This is part of their Keep a Child Warm Project and we will be distributing warm winter clothing to vulnerable children whose parents, if they have them, often face the stark choice of buying food for the table or warm clothing/fuel for the fire.
I am covering the costs of the trip myself – thanks to my 25 year bonus from the Shetland Islands Council – and am also fundraising for the charity as part of my commitment to them by raffling a blanket I am crocheting among other things.
The reason I am writing to you is Operation Orphan need warm coats and shoes to distribute in Moldova, Ukraine and Nepal as well as the hats, scarves and gloves we in Shetland, and others across the country, send them.
They appeal to schools on the mainland to help supply these, good condition second hand coats outgrown by children but still of use.
As I am going to Moldova with Operation Orphan this year I would like to appeal to Shetlanders to do the same. Shetland Rotary Club are donating £250 towards the costs of transportation.
The collection time for warm winter clothing for Operation Orphan is from now until the end of June when they sort and pack donations ready for transporting ahead of the arrival of the teams to distribute them so I have quite a tight timeframe for this.
I would appreciate it if you could consider publicising my appeal for donations and also to get any school, group, business, etc that could act as a collection point to get in touch.
You can see a short animation about the appeal at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QCEiHRG7pI
I would be pleased to report back about the Moldova trip after I have been at www.facebook.com/pages/Julias-Trip-to-Moldova-with-Operation-Orphan/605590679574215?ref=ts&fref=ts
Julia Odie
Voe
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