Sussex woman raises £40k for Brooke through knitting

A Sussex-based fundraiser has raised £40,000 for Brooke through knitting.  

Louise Brown, Joint-Leader of Brooke’s London and West Kent Volunteer Group, has turned her passion for crafts into hundreds of knitted animals, from owls and elephants to orangutans and even custom pet commissions.  

Louise said: “People love to buy these unique animals. They’re full of character, completely hand-made, and a special reminder of the work Brooke does. 

“Back in 2010, I was doing a street collection for Brooke when an elderly lady asked if I’d like her to knit some donkeys to sell. 

“Over the next few years, she knitted around 250 donkeys for me... I decided to teach myself to knit and I’ve never looked back.

"I ended up raising £40,000 for Brooke, with the help of fellow crafters!” 

Brooke has launched a Christmas craft pack this year, with support from Louise and Simply Knitting magazine - which includes knitting, crochet and cross stitch patterns for festive donkeys and horses, in exchange for a £5 donation. 

The London and West Kent Volunteer Group have raised over £100,000 for Brooke since 2007.