How knitting is helping Hartlepool people facing treatment for different types of cancer

Every year, the Macmillan lung cancer nurses in the Hartlepool and North Tees areas hold an event and donate all of the proceeds to cancer treatment.

Around £60,000 has been raised to date which is split between the lung cancer fund at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support.

But this year’s event was not possible because of COVID-19, and that’s when lung cancer nurse and keen knitter Jeanette Draffan decided to do her bit by making and selling soft toys.

So far, Jeanette has helped raise £450 for the two funds and has a long list of orders backed up for the next few weeks.

She said: “When we made the decision to not hold the lung cancer ball this year, I knew I had to do something to make a contribution to the fund.

“I have always loved knitting and have spent a lot of time doing so over the whole period of the pandemic.

“I came up with the idea to make these toys which are weighted with sand and can be used as a useful door stop.

“The response so far has been absolutely fantastic – thank you so much to everyone who has supported it.

“Anyone who would like to make an order can contact me through my Facebook or Instagram pages.”

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