Charity of the month: Cancer Recovery Foundation

The programme involves sending three deliveries of Bear-able gift bags to hospitals and hospices throughout the UK for the children fighting cancer, each containing eight items – from knitted toys, to colouring books and spinning tops.

The charity works incredibly hard to keep supplying such items. Each hospital and hospice with an oncology department can order up to 50 gift bags each Christmas, Easter and Summer, meaning individual hospitals can receive up to 1,200 items per year!

Linda Pearson, Programme Services Manager from the Cancer Recover Foundation, said: “We are always on the lookout for handmade toys to include in our Children’s gift bags, especially for children staying in hospital for extended periods. Glove and finger puppets that can be used by the Play Specialists to interact with the children are particularly welcome, as are soft knitted animals or teddies in machine-washable wool.”

Several knitters who have been part of the charity’s volunteer community for a long period. Madeline Whitehead, a volunteer from East Sussex, has been donating her homemade knitted items for Cancer Recovery for over four years.

“I became involved with the Cancer Recovery a few years ago when I heard them requesting knitted teddies at a local event. I thought if they needed items for the children’s Bear-Able Gift bags then I could help. I phoned the office and have been making knitted toys for the children for a few years now.

“I have encouraged people at work to become involved by knitting tortoises, hedgehogs and teddies for the children. Knitting for the children keeps me busy and gives me a deep sense of satisfaction.”

Could you help make a child smile? Contact Linda Pearson, Cancer Recovery Foundation, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ. Alternatively, call 0207 470 8755 or email lpearson@cancerrecovery.org.uk.