Hartlepool woman joins knitting effort for animals devastated by Australian fires

A local Hartlepool woman received overwhelming support by the community after she asked a local Facebook group for scraps of wool so she could knit nests to send to Australia for animal care.
By Candice Farrow
Published 10th Jan 2020, 09:28 BST
Updated 12th Jan 2020, 13:31 BST

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Michelle has been left devastated by the Australian bushfires and has joined knitting efforts in hope that all animals will see a future.Michelle has been left devastated by the Australian bushfires and has joined knitting efforts in hope that all animals will see a future.
Michelle has been left devastated by the Australian bushfires and has joined knitting efforts in hope that all animals will see a future.

Michelle Mcleod, 61 who has lived in Hartlepool for the last six years recently reached out to locals on Facebook asking if anyone had any scraps of wool she could use in her effort to knit nests for animals care to send to Australia as the country tackles terrible fires.

The response she got was quite overwhelming, she said: “I’m quite busy at the moment, people have been getting in touch with me all morning.

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“One woman even went out and bought a whole bag of wool – I just asked people if they had any scraps but for someone to go out and buy wool that’s just brilliant.”

Michelle McLeod who has knitted items in aid of animal welfare, that will be sent to Australia in aid of animals injured or that have lost their habitat in the ongoing bushfires.Michelle McLeod who has knitted items in aid of animal welfare, that will be sent to Australia in aid of animals injured or that have lost their habitat in the ongoing bushfires.
Michelle McLeod who has knitted items in aid of animal welfare, that will be sent to Australia in aid of animals injured or that have lost their habitat in the ongoing bushfires.

Michelle’s efforts are all part of a wider campaign that can be found on Facebook, the group is called UK Crafters for Australia Animal Rescue effort that aims to ‘facilitate the production of craft items to be sent to Australia to help with the care of animals affected by the catastrophic bushfires.”

Bushfires have been tearing through Australia since September 2019 are predicted to continue as Australia are currently suffering a drought and have seen no rainfall to help relieve fire activity.

Michelle says she is still in the early stages of her efforts, but she is thinking about setting up drop off stations that will include locations close to Hartlepool like Middlesbrough and Strockton-on-Tees for other people who want to get involved.

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Michelle added: “What’s happening out there is awful for families and communities – it’s devastating.

A selection of items by Michelle McLeod who has knitted them in aid of animal welfare, that will be sent to Australia in aid of animals injured or that have lost their habitat in the ongoing bushfires.A selection of items by Michelle McLeod who has knitted them in aid of animal welfare, that will be sent to Australia in aid of animals injured or that have lost their habitat in the ongoing bushfires.
A selection of items by Michelle McLeod who has knitted them in aid of animal welfare, that will be sent to Australia in aid of animals injured or that have lost their habitat in the ongoing bushfires.

“But when I think about the animals and how they have nowhere to live...

“You see these videos on Facebook and it’s devastating, koala’s desperately needing water, farmers having to shoot their cattle, and animals practically driven to extinction.

“When something like this happens, it brings people together, but these animals need our help and I think it’s important that they all see a future.”

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