THE organisers of a north Suffolk charity knitting event running for more than eight years have been thanking the efforts of everyone who has helped to raise thousands of pounds for local charities.

Janet Holt and Joan Moore, co-owners of The Needlecraft Shop on Station Road, have been running their 'knit and knatter' fund-raiser since 2003, during which time they have raised more than �3000.

Mrs Holt said: 'It started with just 35 people in the little room in the Quaker Hall. Now we have on average 55 to 60 people attend and during one session we had up to 80 people come. We've had to move the event into the large room at the hall now.

'We have people travel from all over including Lowestoft and Hales.'

Mrs Moore added: 'They come from all around and we've even had people from Norwich attend. The one time we raised money for a charity which wasn't local was for the charity that funds John Grooms Court in Norwich. Everyone clubbed together to knit a giant Christmas tree which was displayed in the Forum and Cathedral in the city.

'It looked very impressive when it was finished and a lot of hours went into making it, but it was worth it in the end when we saw the final result and all for a good cause too.'

The shop has now been open for almost 40 years and the duo used to be employees of Mr and Mrs Couzens, before taking over ownership of the shop in 2002.

Mrs Moore said: 'We like to share our enthusiasm for the craft. There is a buzz for knitting now because it makes things individual and it isn't a fuddy-duddy thing any more.

'A lot of hours going into knitting clothes.

'We just love the craft and the people and because we love what we do this is us doing our bit to give back to the community.'

Over the last eight years the fund-raiser has raised money for local organisations and charities, including The May Centre, the Mayor's Appeal, Waveney Enterprises, Friends of Beccles Cancer, Beccles Lido, the brownies, guides and scouts and Beccles Hospital.

Mrs Moore said: 'We couldn't do it without the girls in the shop and the people that come.'

Mrs Holt added: 'We are very grateful for everyone that comes and supports our charities at knit and knatter. There's usually a lot of noise there and a lot of knitting.'

The latest knit and knatter evening took place on Wednesday, October 26 at the Quaker Hall in aid of the Beccles branch of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. The raffle raised a total of �80.

Running four times a year, the next 'knit and knatter' will take place on February 15 from 7pm till 9pm at the Quaker Hall and will be in aid of Beccles Sea Cadets. The event is �2, which includes refreshments, and all of the profits made go to charity.

• For more information please call The Needlecraft Shop on 01502 713543.