A huge thank you to everyone involved - over £2000 donated to Eden Valley Hospice

Sam Johnston from Eden Valley Hospice visited The Wool Clip to confirm the donation amount.

"We lost a great friend in 2018 when Pam Hall, a familiar face at Woolfest, died in mid-July," says Marion Rae, a member of The Wool Clip cooperative and one of the organisers. "We wanted to do something special at Woolfest, not only in her memory but also to celebrate the things that she loved. Eden Valley Hospice was a place where Pam was able to spend her last weeks with family and friends and the staff there brought great comfort to Pam and her family when they needed it most. It was an obvious cause for us to support."

Over 100 different items were donated to the auction by Woolfest visitors, stallholders and organisers, many of them made with Herdwick woollen yarn because of its connection to Pam's own flock and her work. There was a hand-clipped Portland fleece donated by local shearer, Paul Murray, cushions, scarves, clothing, rugs, accessories and pictures as well as yarn, kits and much more.

"Everyone at Woolfest was incredibly supportive and keen to contribute to such a great cause," says Debbie Lucas, current chair of The Wool Clip co-operative, "and donations have continued to come in since the event. It was lovely to have volunteers from the Hospice involved too, talking about their work and selling raffle tickets."

Sam Johnston, Community and Events Fundraiser for Eden Valley Hospice, visited The Wool Clip shop at Caldbeck on Wednesday (21 August) to meet some of those involved and to receive the donation.

"The Hospice relies on wonderful community support like this," said Sam, "and we wouldn't be able to do what we do without people like The Wool Clip and the visitors to Woolfest and their generosity."

The Wool Clip co-operative hopes to maintain the connection with Eden Valley Hospice, working with them on a wall hanging that will be displayed there in future and planning involvement for Woolfest 2020 next June.