A group of kind-hearted pensioners have picked up their knitting needles in an effort to keep poorly animals at a north-east rescue centre warm this winter.
Tenants of the Crichie Court sheltered housing complex in Stuartfield, near Mintlaw, have given up their time to help critters who have found themselves under the care of the New Arc sanctuary.
They began the knitting project this summer, with one resident even crafting a bed for a dog from an old jumper.
And they have also been picking up extra groceries to donate to the charity, which is based near Ellon, every time they have gone shopping.
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Dog food, cat food, washing powder and even hamster food found its way into their baskets.
Sheltered housing officer, Rosa-Lynn Bruce, said the pensioners embarked on the scheme when they became aware that New Arc was appealing for help.
She said: “They had seen the charity was raising money for a new roof and they thought ‘what else can we do’?
“They’ve been working incredibly hard. One resident has even made a dog bed out of an old jumper.
“They’re using odd knitted squares as nests for birds as well, the ideas they’ve came up with are great.”
This isn’t the only benevolent initiative the group has undertaken.
Last year, the residents knitted and donated a mountain of items to Street Friends, a charity in Aberdeen which supports homeless people by ensuring they have enough clothing, footwear, toiletries and food to sustain them while on the streets.
More than 50 knitted hats and scarves, 30 sleeping bags, 126 Pot Noodles, tonnes of food and other supplies were handed to the charity.
After last year’s huge success, the residents have decided to do something different every year and use their time to help other people.
Ms Bruce added: “When they start something they like to give it 110%.
“I keep saying to them we could open a pet shop in here with everything we have.”
The residents will be hosting an afternoon tea on Saturday in an attempt to raise more money for the charity, before they donate everything.
The event will be on from 2pm – 4pm at the sheltered housing unit in Crichie Court, Stuartfield.
