Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Local Community and knitting groups along with a kind-hearted wool shop have set themselves an impressive challenge in a bid to raise funds for a local disabled boy. 

The group of knitting enthusiasts who are attempting to knit a length of chain long enough to stretch around the pitch at the Kingsholm Stadium in time for the Cherry and Whites first home game of the 2017/18 season in September. 

Angela Cresswell from Longlevens, who is co-ordinating the challenge says: “After seeing another Gloucester child’s successful operation and physiotherapy, anyone would hope that this life-changing surgery could be made available to as many suitable candidates as possible. Many of us who are knitting might not be up to running marathons or other feats of endurance but we hope this will grab the public’s attention. It is a very long way around a rugby pitch but the chain will not be wasted and we hope to sell lengths to supporters as well as fund-raising by being sponsored”

The impressive challenge is for the ‘Footsteps 4 Finlay’ appeal, which is raising money to pay for life-changing surgery for nine-year-old Longlevens twin, Finlay Gilroy, who has Cerebral Palsy. 

The Footsteps 4 Finlay appeal is being run by the national charity, Caudwell Children, and the money raised will be used to pay for an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. 

With the operation and a course of intense physiotherapy, Finlay is expected to be able to walk independently for the first time. 

Finlay’s mum, Teresa Gilroy, commented on the friends help, she said: “It’s brilliant, such a creative idea and a wonderful gesture. To see the community coming together like this to help Finlay is really heart-warming, I can’t thank everyone enough.” 

To sponsor Finlay’s Big Knit visit their JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/knit4finlay or to find out more email ben.sutcliffe@caudwellchildren.com 

For more information about Caudwell Children and how you can help visit www.caudwellchildren.com 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.