Hastings grandma, 92, raises hundreds with her knitted poppies

Veronica Marchant has created almost 100 poppies, raising a total of £220.

Her granddaughter Maria Pryor came up with the idea after spotting a pattern for a knitted poppy in October and sending it to her grandmother.

She bought some wool for Veronica, who has been isolating for the past few months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and agreed with her grandmother to sell all the poppies she made in a bid to raise some money for the Royal British Legion.

A month later, Veronica has now made almost 100 poppies and the waiting list is continuing to grow thanks to a Facebook post by Maria.

Maria said: “Little did we know how big this would become. So far my 92-year-old grandma has raised over £220 for The Royal British Legion.

“People have been lovely, most saying ‘your grandma is amazing knitting these’. I’ve been told they are being sent to Aberdeen. The Robin Hood Pub wanted some so they could add to the poppy display they already have.

“People have donated wool when collecting their poppies. We’ve even had a local Bexhill and Hastings domiciliary care home want them for their staff. Something I, let alone my grandma never expected.”

Veronica is still knitting and is working through her waiting list, which now stands at around 20.