The team are working on a scarf that needs to be more than 300 metres in length, in order to go all the way around the hospice. Once the challenge has been completed, the scarf will be turned into blankets, with the view to distribute them locally to people in need of them, via local groups and food banks.


“A lot of people think that hospices are a place purely for end of life care, but we want to show that the hospice is also a place to support and to enable people. We have a day care facility where patients can engage in various craft activities, including ceramics, glass engraving and painting, to help them have a sense of worth and well being.”

Jo Lister, Day Therapy Activities Co-ordinator




The simple idea was thought up by Jo Lister - Day Therapy Activities Co-ordinator at the hospice - to knit an enormous scarf as part of the therapy for patients and day therapy users. It has inspired everyone from staff and carers to also get in on the act – whether they’ve knitted for years or never picked up a ball of yarn before.

“I wanted to see if we could ‘wrap the hospice in love’ initially but didn’t anticipate how many people would be interested, and what a positive effect starting the knitting challenge would have – not only for the people who come to the hospice, but the staff too. It’s been great to see such enthusiasm for knitting so we thought, why not see if we can get the community involved too?”

To take part, knit your swatch so that it is 36 stitches wide and make it as colourful as you want!



Alternatively, donations of balls of wool can be made at any of the hospice shops across the area, for Jo Lister’s attention. You are also welcomed to send any other finished craft items which can be sold off to raise money for the hospice.



Send your knits for the scarf and any other crafty donations to:

Prince of Wales Hospice, Halfpenny Lane, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 4BG



For more information call 01977 781457 and view more of the hospice’s charity events here.