Barnstaple coffee shop gives hospice a boost

dave.tanner@archant.co.uk
02 March 2010

SIP ‘n’ stitch: Emma Cocker (left) and Pat Hodges take part in the 14th annual Great North Devon Knit at Boston Tea Party in Barnstaple. Picture by Guy Harrop.

THE click-clack of knitting needles rang louder than the clatter of coffee cups in Barnstaple café last week.

Knitters from the Sip 'n' Stitch club at the Boston Tea Party joined groups across the region taking part in the Great North Devon Knit-In in aid of North Devon Hospice.

The seasonal event, now in its 14th year, has raised £165,000 for the hospice over the years - and with 73 groups taking part up until this Sunday, organisers are hoping to knit a few more rows on last year's fund-raising total.

Hospice community fund-raiser Gerard Fawcitt said: "Knitting season is truly underway and there are events taking part in every hamlet, village and town across North Devon.

"The Great North Devon Knit-In is a very important fund-raiser for the hospice. We have a number of new groups taking part this year and we are very grateful to Sip 'n' Stitch and all the other groups taking part.

"We are urging all knitting groups taking part to each and every knitting individual to raise as much sponsorship as possible.