Calling Donegal knitters - your skills could make a child happy this Christmas

Whether you are a seasoned crafter or took up knitting or crochet during lockdown, your skills could make a poor child's Christmas that bit more special.

Team Hope is calling on people to get their wool and needles out and help to fill the shoeboxes with those extra 'wow' items.

The boxes that are distributed to children living in poverty in parts of Eastern Europe and Africa contain practical items such as toothbrushes and soap, as well as things like colouring books, small toys, etc. 

Anyone who knits or crochets can help by providing knitted teddies, dolls, hats, mittens, bags, etc. that will bring a smile to faces of children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. 

People in Donegal have always responded generously to the annual Team Hope appeal, often through schools which facilitate collection of shoe boxes. This is an opportunity to prepare in advance and to help coordinators to make the shoe boxes extra special this year. 

With a long tradition of hand-knitting in Donegal, there is no shortage of capable crafters and this is a great way to put those skills - and all those left over bits of wool from bigger projects - to good use. 

Other hand-crafted items such as wooden toys and jewellery are also welcome. 

The website www.teamhope.ie has details of how the shoe boxes change children's lives. 

The 'Get Involved' section will post details of local coordinators in October. They can then be contacted to arrange collection of your hand-crafted items. This section also outlines the type of hand-crafted goods that are suitable.