Elgin resident on the lookout for good home for latest batch of knitted teddy bears
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AN 87-year-old woman who uses knitting to help her arthritis is looking for a new home for her latest batch of teddy bears.
Joyce Wilson, who has lived in Elgin for over 20 years, started knitting and donating teddy bears in 2020 on the advice of her doctor who said that it would help with her arthritis.
Doing so has also helped Joyce keep busy after she was forced to stop her painting and textile work due to her deteriorating eyesight.
To date, she has knitted over 400 bears which have been donated to various groups and charities from Moray to as far afield as Poland.
"First of all, they went to the police and the fire brigade to give to the children if they've been in a fire or an accident," Joyce said.
"They've gone to the Red Cross and the Heart Foundation, the Highland Hospice and all the different nurseries in Elgin and Lossiemouth.
"I had a lot go out to Poland for Ukrainian orphans as well.
"I can't knit as many as I used to. I used to do four a week but that's maybe down to two now.
"My eyesight has deteriorated a little so it's a little difficult to see the patterns but I can do them mostly by feel.
"I'm 87 so knitting the bears and helping people gives me a purpose."
With 60 more bears knitted and ready to go, Joyce is once again looking to help by donating the latest batch to those in need.
However, having helped so many charities and groups already, Joyce is at a loss as to who she might have missed.
"I've got more bears ready so if I've missed anybody out who's interested then I'm happy to give them away," Joyce added.
"The bears seem to be really appreciated. I've had so many letters and thank you messages for them.
"It just makes me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile."
Lisa Gray, who has helped Joyce for over ten years, is helping give the bears away.
She can be contacted on lisagray1305@yahoo.com for those interested.
