Local Slimming World Groups Raise Money for Rowcroft Hospice this Christmas

Slimming World members from the morning groups in Totnes & Kingsbridge have come up with yet another way to raise money for Rowcroft Hospice. Consultant, Nat Bamforth, challenged them to get creative and dig out their knitting needles, crochet hooks, sewing kits, pom poms and any other crafty things to come up with some handmade treasures for their Slimming World Craft stall.

Nat says “We collect money for Rowcroft throughout the year but for the last 7 or 8 years we have always done a big Christmas fundraiser. We weren’t sure how this new idea was going to go but I have been absolutely blown away by the creativity of my members and I am in complete awe of their talents! We had handmade bags, mug cosies, children’s aprons, cuddly toys, knitted baby clothes, Christmas decorations, knitted hats, gloves and scarves, mosaics, bunting, pictures, mohair jumpers, Christmas stockings and so much more. All handmade with love. The quality of all the items donated was first class and I’m so proud of them all!”

The Craft Stall ran during the morning groups throughout December and members were invited to browse the stall after they had weighed in. The stall raised an amazing £629 and any leftover craft items were donated to the Rowcroft Hospice shop.

Not everyone is crafty though so Nat’s generous members also ran a Christmas present raffle. On the run up to Christmas, those who were able to do so donated an item that could be a Christmas gift - from fluffy socks, candles and bath sets to Mosaic workshop vouchers, Chanel and Swarovski jewellery. They were all wrapped up, shared out between groups and then raffled off in a big charity raffle at the group Christmas parties. Winners got a wrapped present to pop under their tree and all the money went to the Rowcroft fund. The raffle raised another £313.

Last but not least donations were given to see Nat dress up in a costume that was chosen by her members. Donations for this came flying in as usual, not only from Slimming World members but from Nat’s colleagues around the country, friends and family. “I tried to avoid doing this again this year” Nat said “but I was told in no uncertain terms by my members that it’s a tradition and that I had no choice! Now though, having seen the total we have raised with this so far I’ve got to say I’m quite glad I was persuaded! The wonderful Rowcroft nurses cared for both my parents, my mother-in-law and many of my friends and members loved ones too so it’s totally worth it to be able to give something back”.

Those donations added to the Craft Stall and Raffle money mean that the grand total raised this year is a whopping £2215. “We’ve done this for quite a few years now and I never thought we’d beat last year’s total…but we’ve smashed it! It just shows what can be achieved when we all work together – and working together and supporting each other is something that my groups do incredibly well! I’m so proud of them all and I really can’t thank everyone enough for their time, effort and donations.”

Nat’s groups run at the methodist church in Kingsbridge on a Tuesday morning at 9am &10.30am and at Totnes Boating Association in Totnes on a Wednesday morning at 7.30am & 9.30am. Everyone is welcome! You can contact her on 07807311246 or you can find details of other local groups on the Slimming World Website (slimmingworld.co.uk).