Wool Appeal

Age UK Rotherham Appeals for Donations of Wool to Help Older People Keep Warm this Winter  

Local charity, Age UK Rotherham, is appealing for donations of wool, so that they can provide warm blankets, as part of a campaign to keep older people warm this winter. 

The idea started when local supporter, Catherine Holland, saw an Age UK advert about the difficulties facing many older people this winter. She was so moved by the situation that she contacted the charity and offered to crochet blankets. Catherine has always loved to crochet, she finds it’s a great activity to support her mental health and wanted a purpose for doing it. She said “I know a warm blanket doesn’t solve the problem, but it might help those in need, and it gives me a reason to do something I love.” 

After an appeal for wool donations on social media, other crafters came forward offering to knit and crochet blankets and this led to the birth of the campaign. 

The charity is expecting the cost of living crisis to have a heavy impact on the older residents of Rotherham this winter and is making plans to help as many people as possible. Each blanket will be given as part of a pack containing information about how to get extra help this winter. Barbara Dinsdale, the Charity’s CEO said, “A warm blanket isn’t a solution, but it will be offered with a whole range of information and advice about maximising household income including accessing additional entitlements not already claimed.” 

So many people are managing on a tight budget and with the steep increase in food, energy, transport and many other household costs, it could be a choice between heating and eating for some this winter. It’s important that everyone knows what help is available and how to access that help. Age UK Rotherham helps over 10,000 older people each year and the demand is expected to rise as the weather gets colder. You can help by donating your unwanted wool or by crocheting or knitting blankets yourself. 

Parkgate Shopping Centre are getting on board by collecting wool and blanket donations at their Families First Charity location on Monday and Friday mornings between 9.30 and 11.30 and Centre Manager, Janet Drury, said “we’re so pleased to be able to help, we already run many services for the people of Rotherham and this campaign is going to be a big help to anyone suffering hardship when the weather turns colder” For more information about where to drop off donations contact ann.familiesfirst@gmail.com or give her a ring on 07568 396 113 

Donations can also be dropped off at the Charity’s Furniture Warehouse on Fitzwilliam Road, S65 1SL Tuesday to Friday between 9 and 4pm. For more information go to the charity’s website or contact Denise on denise.caldecott@ageukrotherham.org