The heartwarming crafting campaign that’s making a difference in Greater Manchester this Christmas

Thanks to a collaboration between the Greater Manchester Mayors’ Charity and the beloved family business Black Sheep Wools, the ‘Deck The Halls’ fundraising campaign has been launched, calling on knitting and crochet enthusiasts to create five new festive decoration designs.

Deck The Halls Fundraiser

These beautiful patterns, suitable for both beginners and seasoned crafters, encompass beloved festive designs such as stockings, trees, paper chains, and even the charity’s distinctive ‘umbrella’ logo. Crafters can obtain digital download patterns for just £2 each or choose the bundle of all five for £9.

Additionally, a selection of three yarn packs (Holly Jolly, Last Christmas, and Merry & Bright) is available for purchase, with all proceeds from the patterns and 10% of each yarn pack sale contributing to the charity’s vital cause.

Supporting A Bed Every Night

The funds raised through this heartwarming initiative will support “A Bed Every Night,” the flagship program of the Greater Manchester Mayors’ Charity.

This initiative is dedicated to providing a warm bed, accompanied by wraparound support, for individuals experiencing rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness in Greater Manchester.

The festive patterns and wool materials are now available for purchase online, inviting crafters to contribute their creativity to this compassionate cause by clicking here

The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity

Fran Darlington-Pollock, Chief Executive at the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, expressed her appreciation for Black Sheep Wools’ pivotal role in this heartwarming campaign.

She acknowledged that Black Sheep Wools holds a special place in the hearts of a vast community of crafters, not only in Greater Manchester but across the North West and the UK.

Fran Darlington-Pollock added, “We know this campaign will not just raise funds to support ‘A Bed Every Night’ but get people talking about the charity, thinking about the importance of home, and perhaps even taking up a new hobby to wind down at the end of a hard week. We can’t wait to see what people come up with!”

The festive designs have been lovingly crafted by Sarah Hatton, Helen Ardley, and Sara Mulvey, a part of the Black Sheep Wools team.

The Black Sheep Wools

Founded in 1983 in Culcheth, near Warrington, Black Sheep Wools has grown to become a cherished hub for craft-lovers, shipping products and patterns to enthusiasts around the world. With pride, they proclaim themselves as the largest knitting and stitching store in the country.

Sara Mulvey, Director at Black Sheep Wools, expressed delight at being part of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity initiative this year. She noted, “We’ve designed five bright and beautiful Christmas decorations, perfect to ‘deck the halls.’

You can see what Black Sheep Wools have to offer by clicking here

The patterns are simple to make, allowing for both knitting and crocheting, and you can let your imagination go wild creating your own fun festive embellishments.”

The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity plays a pivotal role in providing grants to innovative organisations working throughout the city region.

Since its launch in 2019, the charity has raised an impressive £3.1 million, making a profound impact by unlocking over 70,000 nights of emergency accommodation, providing 40 grants to organisations facing challenging times, and supporting 12 years of frontline work through funding.

This holiday season, “Deck The Halls” offers crafters an opportunity to bring warmth, comfort, and hope to those in need.

As the Greater Manchester community joins hands, they exemplify the true spirit of the season by sharing their creative talents for the betterment of society.

Crafters, whether experienced or new to the art, are invited to ‘deck the halls with heart’ and make a tangible difference for individuals facing homelessness and rough sleeping in Greater Manchester.