It all started back in June 2023 on the train back from Whitehead, after visiting Lighthouse yarns. We had the idea of starting something meaningful and beautiful to honour Lydia our wonderful daughter and daughter in law. Those first few tentative ideas led to a fledgling start with the name Lydia’s Gift making an appearance by the August of 2023.

We organised a poster which was taken to several wool shops to be displayed, and that was the start of our adventure. Lydia’s Aunties in Dublin were our first supporters sending many many hats and soon we were receiving baby blankets, cardigans, hats and squares from friends and family.

The Salvation Army and Simon Community were our first formal donations, with over 110 hats for all ages and 4 cowls,6 baby blankets and 6 jumpers.

We made friends along the way of knitters and crocheters who wanted to be able to do some small act of kindness by making something warm and life affirming to someone they would never meet. Friends of Lydias from far and wide sent us gorgeous things ,some even posting their donation to us.

By August 2024 we had received over 1000 items

Blankets for people moving into their first accommodation after struggling with homelessness.
Hats and scarves for those living on the streets.
Baby sets with a blanket cardigan and hat in them for young first time mums.

We are never going to solve all these peoples problems but we can show love and compassion by giving them one of the many beautiful gifts that are donated. Lydia’s Gift might seem like a drop in the ocean but the rippling of that positive action will bring hope to many.