Remembrance Day: Clydebank knitting group raising money for veterans

Margaret Reid and her group of knitters have been putting together cotton poppies ahead of Remembrance Sunday to raise funds for the Erskine Veterans group.

This is the fifth year Ms Reid and her team have been putting on the poppy project, with a production line of needle and thread crafting the designs every Wednesday from the Big Disability Hub on Dumbarton Road.

Once complete, the knit and natterers donate their creations to local shops in Clydebank and ask them to give them away for a suggested donation of £2.

The poppies have been distributed to local shops over the last few weeks (Image: Margaret Reid)

Last year the group raised £618 for Erskine and, speaking to the Post, Ms Reid revealed she is confident of smashing that number this year thanks to the amazing generosity of locals.

She said: “We’ve been blown away by the help of the local stores.

“It’s just lovely to give back to the veterans, who put their lives on the line. Just knowing the care they are getting at Erskine is amazing.

“And to think you can contribute to help with all these things is great.”

Ms Reid started the group in 2018 as a means to reconnect with people having retired from her job as a carer.

And she said the group has evolved over the years, enduring the pandemic lockdowns and offering attendees a means to get on with life.

“It is all about people blooming," Ms Reid added.

“People have maybe come along on a bus that they’ve never really got on for two years. There is one lady who used to come and cover her mouth when she was speaking and you could hardly make her out and now she’s like a different woman.”

Knit and Natter meets every Wednesday at the hub between 10.30am and 2.30pm, with around 10 knitting enthusiasts, and Ms Reid explained they all come together for a common cause.

She added: “It gives a bit of purpose in their days. Some people don’t feel they’ve got a purpose in life anymore. They’ve brought their families up and things and now they are on their own.

“It’s a feel-good thing when you’re involved with other people and all reaching the same goal together.”

Margaret (pictured) has also knitted a Remembrance Day post box cover (Image: Margaret Reid)

Jim Watret at Erskine told the Post the charity couldn’t be happier with the generosity Margaret and her group have shown them.

He said: “Erskine are delighted that Margaret Reid and her group of dedicated knitters are continuing to support the Veterans at Erskine by making Remembrance Flowers to distribute among the local shops.

“They have done this over the last few years and are setting their sights on raising even more money this year.

“We cannot thank them enough.”