Knitters from Somerset to St Davids have raised more than £2,300 for Target Ovarian Cancer as part of a Treffynnon woman’s campaign to raise awareness of the disease and funds for the charity.
“I was sitting in a café in Swansea just after being told that the cancer was back and quite badly,” said Lyn. “I needed to have something in my head that didn’t just say ‘it’s back’.
“As we were sitting there six ladies walked past us with their knitting, they’d been having a knit and natter in the back of the café. I thought we could do that.”
By the end of the drive home Time for Teal was born. The project involves selling kits consisting of a skein of teal wool, crochet and knitting patterns. The common symptoms of ovarian cancer are also listed in the packs.
Lyn sourced 40 kilos of wool in the UK, had it dyed teal, the colour of TOC and then with a group of friends wound it into skeins and packed it.
On World Ovarian Cancer Day a series of Knit and Natter events took place across the country with more fundraising planned for the near future.
“It’s a way for me to keep the reality in my life,” said jeweller Lyn. “To have a focus that’s positive.
“It’s not just about raising money it’s about raising awareness. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea what the symptoms were. To be 60 years old and have it sneak up on me, I won’t be the only one.
“When a woman is diagnosed at the earliest stage, her chance of surviving ovarian cancer for five years or more doubles from just 46 per cent to more than 90 per cent.
“If I can prompt one woman to go to her doctor it will be worth every penny we raise.”
Local Time for Teal knit and natters are planned for June 12 at Stable Cottage, Rhoslanog Fawr, Mathry and at Theatre Gwaun, Fishguard on June 14.
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