Nov 2021
Phyllis knits up a storm for local charity shop
Self-confessed knitting fanatic Phyllis Coker uses her favourite hobby to support a charity by creating hundreds of knitted jumpers for babies and children that she donates to be sold at a Helen and Douglas House store in Wallingford.
88-year-old Phyllis, now a resident at Chilterns Court Care Centre in Henley-on-Thames, lived in Nettlebed before moving to Chilterns Court in September this year. Since moving to the home Phyllis has already knitted seven jumpers for the charity shop, and is keen to continue.
Phyllis said: “I’m happy to do my bit for charity whilst giving myself something productive and useful to do. I don’t have many other hobbies, so I always go back to knitting.”
Phyllis was taught to knit at a young age by her sister Betty, and now never works to a pattern.
She added: “I’ve made so many of these jumpers that my hands just know what to do. I know the pattern off by heart, it must be all the years of practice.”
The jumpers are delivered from Chilterns Court to the charity shop in nearby Wallingford by Phyllis’ son Ian and her daughter-in-law Kate.
Helen and Douglas House Store Manager, Paula Cockman said: “We are so grateful to Phyllis for knitting all the wonderful jumpers. They are really popular with our customers and always sell out very quickly.
“People often come in to ask when we will be getting more in, and we have people asking for bigger sizes when their children have grown out of the ones they have bought.
“It’s great that our customers will now know the face behind the lovely jumpers.”
Chilterns Court Activities Coordinator, Candy Trevethan, added: “Phyllis has settled in very well here at the home and we are delighted she has chosen to continue to do something she enjoys.
“Phyllis’ passion for knitting is infectious. She even has a mug that says: ‘If I can’t take my knitting with me I’m not going!’ She’s inspiring others in the home to take it up too and we are starting a Knit and Natter group for those in the home who want to join in.”