Joyce Wilson started knitting teddies to help relieve her arthritis- now she’s donating them to charities across the world
The 87-year-old Elgin grandmother found knitting “definitely” helped relieve her painful arthritis and kept her occupied following the deterioration of her eyesight.
She said: “During the first lockdown, my sight started to deteriorate, I’m an older lady and I’ve had quite a few physical problems, so I had to stop painting and embroidery.
“I had done more complicated things like knitting Icelandic jumpers and cardigans, but with my sight going, I couldn’t do that anymore.
“I just found I could knit these bears, they’re very simple but they’re lovely bright colours and I enjoy doing them.
“My doctor knew I knitted the bears because she got one, everyone I know has a bear and she said knitting them is the best thing for my hands.
“They’re very sore and stiff, but knitting is the best thing for them.”
‘Lovely reply from Ukranian orphans’
Mrs Wilson donates her bears to various charities and is keen to give more after receiving a heartwarming reply from Ukranian orphans displaced by Russia’s invasion.
“I’d hoped to send more to Poland because I did send some to the orphanage for Ukranian children and I got a lovely reply from them.
“One of the orphan boys drew me a lovely painting as a thank you and I’ve got it framed on my wall, it’s really beautiful.
“I’ve had lovely cards from the Heart Foundation and from the nursery in Lossiemouth, they sent me a lovely one the children had made to thank me for the bears.
“I’m hoping some more charities will get in touch, if any are interested, send over an email.”
With Christmas just around the corner, Mrs Wilson is “sure” there will be people who will want a teddy bear as a present.
“I’m knitting them all the time, I go to coffee mornings with some ladies, some of them do embroidery and I sit there and knit my bears,” she added.
Lisa Gray who’s been supporting Mrs Wilson for over a decade is helping her to give the bears away.
Those interested in ordering a teddy can email her via lisagray1305@yahoo.com
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