Quite a reaction to REACT's 'knitting for others' projects

MEMBERS of Armagh’s REACT (Reconciliation, Education and Community Training) group are nearing completion of their now-annual knitting project to help others.

Those in line to benefit from the locals’ endeavours with wool and needles are Craigavon Area Hospital’s Neonatal Baby Unit, plus young children whose lives have been changed as a result of fires or accidents.

Charles Teggart, the Activities Co-ordinator of REACT in Armagh, has only been in that job for three months, but in that time he has seen enough to let him know that these local knitters are a very special group of women.

He told the Gazette, “There are 26 knitters and their ages range from 50 to 92.”

In fact, the 92-year-old is actually his grandmother, Sadie McMahon. Her sister, Beatrix, is also involved – but she's only 89! “They're both avid knitters,” Charles explained. “Beatrix can knit octopuses, dinosaurs... you name it, she'll knit it. She really is amazing. Meanwhile my granny knits little hats and hearts because she finds those easier.”

The significance and importance of all those various items is huge; knitted Teddies for Tragedy, for example, are for young children who have been involved in one of those ife-changing accidents or fires.

Knitted hearts, meanwhile, are donated to Craigavon Area Hospital's Premature Baby Unit, the idea being that one heart is left with the baby and one is kept by the mother.

These soft woollen hearts are then swapped to help the bonding process, as a result of which the production of breast milk often follows. A simple but wonderful example of nature encouraging nuturing.

The impressively busy ladies also have knitted hats and cardigans for the Neo-Natal unit.

Charles continued, “The woman are all members of REACT and with an early November deadline to meet they have been knitting for the last few months. We're overwhelmed by the quantity – and quality - of the knitted items they have produced.

“The ladies have a great bond, so much so that anybody who can't get into our knit and natter session just continues to knit from home and then sends their garments and teddies in with a friend.

“Although, in total, there are 26 knitters in the group, on an average week we'd have eight or nine attending.

“The knitting sessions are every other Tuesday and really it's just a chance for them to sit and chat to each other while they knit. They've all been knitting furiously for the past couple of months, as the box load of stuff they have produced now shows.

“We're intending to donate all of what they have made on Tuesday, November 7, when we'll be taking it to Craigavon's Neonatal Unit and to the Fire Service and the Police Service.

“The knitters are next scheduled to be here on Tuesday, October 31 [10.30am-12.30pm] for what will be our final session before the big hand-over the following week,” Charles confirmed.

He was also keen to stress the freedom to choose these sessions offer, saying, “Some have knitted pigs while others have knitted ducks. Nor is knitting the only craft form, for some prefer to crochet and that's fine, too.

“Although I've only been here three months, I know Teddies for Tragedies and knitting for the hospital has been going on for some time. I'm not quite sure when it began, but you're talking years.”

Asked about his personal enjoyment of this new role he said, “I love this job – I'm learning how to sew myself now! Seriously, they've got me on the sewing machine – and thankfully they're very patient!”

REACT operates from 14/14a Armagh Shopping Centre, Thomas Street, Armagh BT61 7AE and its telephone number is 028 3752 6869.