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Broadstone knitters meet charity challenge for Sailors' Society

29 Mar, 2017

Broadstone knitters have made 200 woolly warmers for seafarers’ charity Sailors’ Society.

Broadstone United Reformed Church’s Yarn with Yarn charity craft group delivered 100 hats and 100 neck warmers to the charity at its 199^th anniversary service at Winchester Cathedral on March 21.

Sailors’ Society’s Bristol chaplain, Steve Loader, immediately snapped up the warmers to give out to seafarers who arrive at Portbury and Avonmouth ports.

Pat Johnson, from the group, said: “We set ourselves a 200 challenge – to knit 200 items for Sailors’ Society’s 200^th year.

“It was incredible to see how much they are needed.”

Steve visited more than 8,200 seafarers last year in port, offering them practical and emotional support. He said he had just run out of hats, so he was thrilled to receive more.

“The hats remind the seafarers that they’re not forgotten – I explain about the people who have knitted them,” he said.

“Many of them come from tropical countries, so even a mild day here is freezing to them. They take them and they immediately put them on to get relief from the cold.”

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