Winners 'purl' together to help Mini Donks spread Christmas cheer

The group of 18 knitters got busy when its members heard the not-for-profit social enterprise needed more knitted donkeys to sell at its Christmas pop-up gift shop. The result is a ‘herd’ of lovingly crafted limited edition mini donks (each one complete with a gold head collar, a tag, and an accompanying adoption certificate) which will go on sale at Beccles Christmas Lights Switch On.

Funds raised by the sale of the special knitted donkeys help Mini Donks carry out visits to those with life-limiting conditions and keep the superstar animals fed throughout the winter months.

National Lottery winners Susan Crossland, 58, and Debra Pearce, 62, presented Mini Donks with a wheelbarrow brimming with knitted mini mules as well as some knitted carrots. Debra is no stranger to Mini Donks having been part of a team of winners who visited during the summer of 2021 to build a yard extension.

Debra said, “It’s been brilliant to support this wonderful organisation again this year. Hopefully our efforts will raise some more pennies for Mini Donks and be a delightful Christmas present for the lucky recipients too.

“Every one of these knitted mini donks and carrots have been made by someone, like me, who was lucky enough to enjoy a win on the National Lottery. It would be nice to think that some of our luck might be passed on along with these knitted toys!”

Sarah McPherson, founder of Mini Donks, said, “A gang of National Lottery winners visited earlier this year and worked tirelessly to extend our stableyard, and I mentioned in passing we needed knitters to help with stock for Christmas. I honestly didn’t expect National Lottery millionaires from all over the country to give up their time and resources in this way – it really is an early Christmas present for us.

“We’re incredibly grateful for their support, every penny raised in the shop goes straight back into helping provide Mini Donk visits for those with life-limiting conditions.”

This isn’t the first time National Lottery millionaire knitters have leapt into action. Back in Christmas 2020, they knitted more than 1,000 little angels and fairies which were given to organisations around the country ranging from children’s hospices to projects supporting lonely and isolated elderly people.

1st December 2021