Community marathon in Sandgate aims to sew Ayr together for hospice
Members of a small Ayr craft business will spend 12 hours crocheting flowers in a shop window to raise money for Ayrshire Hospice, in an event organisers hope will bring local people together and draw attention to the work of a charity that supports families across the county.
The Crafty Coo will stage the marathon on Sunday 30 August, with three team members — Shirley Mitchell, Val Riddiough and Jackie Macdonald — positioned in the display window at 72 Sandgate from 9am until 9pm. The trio plan to create as many crochet flowers as possible over the course of the day and have invited members of the public to drop in, have a go or simply offer encouragement.
The event builds on The Crafty Coo’s presence in Ayr. After a successful pop-up on Newmarket Street in June 2023, the shop opened a permanent premises in November 2024 and has been developing community activities since.
The organisers have enlisted local support to entice visitors: The Tree House, which sits directly across the road from the shop, will provide free tea and cake to people who attend the crochet-a-thon. The Crafty Coo is also inviting donations of unwanted yarn from local knitters and crocheters; the materials will be turned into flowers during and after the event.
“We wanted to do something that brought together our love of crochet and our local community while raising money for a charity that means so much to people across Ayrshire,” Shirley Mitchell said. “We thought sitting in the shop window crocheting flowers for 12 hours would certainly get people’s attention. We'd love people to come along, have a chat, pick up a crochet hook and join us for a while - or simply pop their head in and cheer us on.”
All proceeds raised on the day will go directly to Ayrshire Hospice, and any funds generated from the later sale of the finished crochet flowers will also be donated. Supporters who cannot attend in person are able to contribute online via a JustGiving page dedicated to the fundraising effort.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | 12‑hour crochet‑a‑thon |
| Date | Sunday 30 August |
| Time | 9am–9pm |
| Location | 72 Sandgate, Ayr |
| Beneficiary | Ayrshire Hospice |
How residents can get involved
- Visit the shop window during the event to watch, donate or join in with a crochet hook.
- Bring unwanted yarn to donate — organisers will convert donations into flowers.
- Enjoy complimentary tea and cake from The Tree House opposite the shop.
- Donate online via the JustGiving page to support the fundraising total.
Organisers emphasise the inclusive nature of the event: people of all skill levels are welcome to take part, whether they are experienced knitters and crocheters or complete beginners who want to learn. The public-facing location and the extended hours are intended to maximise opportunities for passers-by and regular visitors to Somerset Park and the town centre to engage with the cause.
For a small business that only recently established a permanent base in Ayr, the marathon represents both a fundraiser and a chance to knit together community ties. The Crafty Coo has chosen a local charity with a countywide reach, ensuring that money raised in Sandgate will be channelled back into services that support people across Ayrshire.
Further details and the link to the fundraising page are available through the shop’s fundraising listing. Every penny raised on the day and from subsequent sales of the handcrafted flowers will be passed to Ayrshire Hospice.
