Poppies knitted by Wolverhampton council workers pull in thousands
A PAIR of dedicated knitters have gathered more than £1,000 after crafting hundreds of poppies commemorating the nation's war heroes.
Wolverhampton Council workers Amanda Millard and Linda Downing have spent months knitting almost 800 poppies ahead of Armistice Day.
The colleagues, from the council's transportation team, are now planning to continue the production line right up until Remembrance Sunday.
Ms Millard said: “We have been so surprised by how many people wanted to buy themselves, relatives and colleagues one of our creations to raise money for the Royal British Legion.
“We have had to re-think our target and are hoping to raise over £1100 before Sunday comes.”
The duo initially had a £250 target but set their sights even higher after an overwhelming response to their knitted works of art.
They began their fundraising mission in August, knitting at home during the evenings and at weekends.
With their knitting needles and yarn at the ready, the pair have even created woolly poppies on beaches during their summer breaks.
Ms Downing added: “I have been carrying my wool and needles around with me between meetings – I once found myself knitting on a train back from Nottingham, with other passengers keen to buy a poppy off me and donate to a great cause.
“Amanda even knitted on the beach whilst she was relaxing on holiday – it really has become a big part of our lives.”
The pair - who both have relatives who served in the British Army and Royal Navy in the Second World War - have been selling their creations mainly to fellow council workers but also anyone else who bumps into them.
