Marathon knitting session to help African children (From Salisbury Journal)

Marathon knitting session to help African children

8:30am Saturday 9th August 2008

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IN just three months of what must have been non-stop knitting, pensioner Peggy Kyte completed 21 jumpers.

Now she has the joy of knowing that they will become the treasured possessions of poverty-stricken African children.

And for Mrs Kyte, 73, and her fellow regulars at Wilton Day Centre in West Street, this could be the start of a lasting relationship with the youngsters on the other side of the world.

The jumpers were handed over last Thursday to the Rev Pauline Newton, a former curate at Bemerton who is now retired and living in Ross on Wye, where she is chairman of a charity called Malvern In The Gambia.

She will take them out to The Gambia next year, and has promised to photograph the children who receive them, to show to the day centre users.

The jumpers will probably be the only new garments the children receive during the year. "This is such a huge thing for them," said day centre helper Chris Musselwhite.

"The Rev Newton told us about her work over there, and there was lots of interest, so we are talking about possibly collecting money for medical kits, too."

Mrs Musselwhite added: "It's possible for us all to become quite insular as we get older, and forming links like this, especially with children, is good for everyone.

"Everyone was very touched by the difficulties she described in people's everyday lives, and we would like to do more to help."

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