Working with Refuge to launch a nationwide ‘Comfort Blanket Campaign’, Future’s magazines are asking readers to knit small squares, which can be sewn together to create larger blankets. The blankets will then be given to the women and children who access Refuge’s services – with the target of making 100 blankets by Christmas.
Refuge is the magazines’ nominated charity for 2011 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. With one in four women experiencing domestic violence at some point in their lives, Refuge supports 1,600 women and children each day, providing a vital lifeline for those looking to escape the misery of abuse.
As part of the Comfort Blanket Campaign, beautiful patterns are available online in an e-book containing 26 different designs at www.justgiving.com/refugeblankets.
The magazines are making the e-book available for free, but are suggesting a small donation for each download. Readers can then access the patterns created by fantastic designers and stars of the knitting world including Alan Dart, Sarah Hatton, Judy Furlong and Simply Knitting and The Knitter’s very own Debora Bradley and Juliet Bernard.
The teams are encouraging everyone to get involved: from individuals and crafting novices to whole knitting groups. Readers can send in completed blankets directly to Refuge’s London offices, or give blankets or individual squares to the editorial team at October’s Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace.
Launched earlier this month, the first blanket has already been sent in by a Simply Knitting reader and has been given to a child in one of the charity’s refuges.
Kerry Lawrence, Publisher of Future’s Craft portfolio, says: “This campaign offers our readers the chance to put their skills to good use and do something really positive. Although this is only a small gesture, the Comfort Blanket Campaign shows sufferers that we care and will help to raise vital funds to support the work of Refuge.”
Sandra Horley, CBE and CEO of Refuge, says: “Domestic violence is the biggest issue impacting on women and children in this country. The statistics are shocking – two women are killed each week by a current or former partner in England and Wales and hundreds more women suffer in silence. Raising awareness of domestic violence is a crucial part of Refuge’s work which is why we’re delighted to be supported by Simply Knitting and The Knitter. The blankets will mean a great deal to the women and children who receive them, many of whom leave home with little more than the clothes they are wearing.”
