Knitting fans – needles at the ready! We’re running a sponsored knit-a-thon and need your help...

In April 2010, Steve Cullen is taking part in the Lapland Husky Trail to raise money for Meningitis Research Foundation.  The challenge involves a 250km journey across Northern Norway and Sweden over 7 days, in temperatures as low as -20°C, whilst being in charge of his own pack of dogs.  His reason for taking part in the challenge:

“My daughter Georgia contracted pneumococcal meningitis when she was 15 months old.  After 2 weeks in hospital, including 3 days in the children’s Intensive Care Unit, Georgia was allowed home.  As a result of meningitis, she had to learn how to sit, stand and walk all over again.  The main impact of the meningitis was that Georgia was left profoundly deaf.  Despite this she has grown into a happy, extrovert 4 year old.

Georgia’s development wouldn’t have been possible without the fantastic support from charities and health professionals alike.  I feel that the least I can do is to try and help the charities that helped us.  By supporting the Meningitis Research Foundation we hope that we can contribute to the eradication of meningitis, and help prevent other families suffering the effects of this illness.”

In order to help Steve raise the money, we’re embarking on a sponsored knit-a-thon.  The idea is to knit as many 8” by 8” squares as possible, raising money along the way, which will then be turned into small blankets and auctioned off.  Some will also be donated to The Dolphin Ward at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, where Georgia was cared for during her time in hospital.  
How can you get involved?

We’d love you to help in any way you can – whether it be taking up your knitting needles or crochet hooks and making a square, donating any leftover wool or needles, or contributing to Steve’s cause by sponsoring him at http://www.justgiving.com/steve-on-a-sled.  We’re also running a knit-a-thon event at Park House School, Newbury from 5 – 8pm on December 15th, so come along with your needles and we’ll provide the wool, tea and biscuits for an evening of knitting for a great cause!  The final deadline for squares and sponsorship money to be in is January 11th, so even if you can’t make the event there is still plenty of time to get involved.
  
If you want to help knit Steve’s way onto a sled across Norway and raise funds for Meningitis Research Foundation along the way, please email Sadie_ramm@btinternet.com or call Sadie on 07799 872019.