Sheffield knitters and crafters urged to help injured Australian wildlife

A Sheffield animal lover is urging people to reach for their knitting needles to help out Australian wildlife hit by the raging bushfires.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Sarah Deakin was moved to do something to help the animals injured in the wildfires that have ravaged large parts of the country since September.

The World Wildlife Federation estimate that 1.25 billion native animals have perished in the Australian bushfires, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas and more.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite not being a crafter herself, Sarah wanted to help in any way she could, moved by the images of devastation left in the fires’ wake.

Knoitters at the Wool Baa in Hunters Bar making poucjes and nests fir abandoned and orphaned Australian AnimalsKnoitters at the Wool Baa in Hunters Bar making poucjes and nests fir abandoned and orphaned Australian Animals
Knoitters at the Wool Baa in Hunters Bar making poucjes and nests fir abandoned and orphaned Australian Animals

After coming across a Facebook group of crafters who were donating to the relief effort by making wallaby and joey hanging pouches, koala mittens and nests for birds, Sarah wondered what she could do to help in Sheffield.

Sarah said: “Last Sunday, I saw the Facebook Group - UK Crafters for Australia Animal Rescue effort.

“They’re a very organised group who have set up distribution hubs where they can check what kind of things are required, pack the crafted items and send them to where they are needed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’m not a maker, but thought I could help co-ordinate collections of crafters in Sheffield who are making these items.”

After getting in touch with Jill, owner of the Wool Baa on Junction Road, the shop was set up as a collection point for any donated items.

Sarah also spoke to members of Sheffield group Craftaway, who were keen to help produce what they could by knitting, crocheting and sewing.

Sarah added: “Mats for cats and dogs are also needed – people have been forced to leave their pets behind. Hen cardigans are being made for hens that have lost their feathers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s heartbreaking to see the fires, but there are things we can do. Thank goodness there are some positive stories of animals being rescued and looked after.

“My brother lives in Australia, and to think of the destruction of the eucalyptus forest, and imagine how it must feel for the animals to be caught up in that – we can’t just sit here and do nothing.

“It’s amazing what people can do when they pull together.”

Sarah added that the group are looking for donations of any 100 per cent cotton material such as old bedsheets, that can be used to make pouches for orphaned baby joeys to sleep in.

“Most orphaned joeys should still be in their mum’s pouch,” added Sarah.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The pouches are made with a handle so they can be hung, and the joeys can jump in.”

As well as the pouches, cotton material is needed for special wraps to roll up baby bats – much like a human swaddle.

The donation scheme has already been successful – Carrie Von Thortersen, who runs online craft shop Happy Earth Essentials, has made around 40 pouches with material donated by Nether Edge residents.

With each pouch taking between 10-15 minutes to make, Carrie and her friend Helen at Badger and Bobbins are busy making as many pouches as possible to help the relief effort.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Once the items have been made and collected, they are sent to a distribution hub in Scunthorpe where they are checked and sent to where they are needed.

If you have materials to donate, or want to find out how you can help, contact Sarah on 07855326945.

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.