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Unless you have been living under a rock, you probably have seen - or have at least heard of - the wonderful crochet toppers that have been popping up around Colliers Wood and its surrounding areas.

Well, if you have, then you might know that they have been putting smiles on the faces of people from the community since November last year.

These pieces of work are a result of Spin us a yarn Colliers Wood - a group that now has over 100 members, aged between 20 and 83, that have raised thousands for charity.

The group puts up decorations around the town to raise money for charity and to uplift the mood during these gloomy times.

While the success of the group is visible in terms of the amount of fantastic work they produce and the positive reviews they have from all around the community, perhaps its biggest triumph is what the public can't always see: the friendships built, the comradery and the feeling of being part of a team.

In fact, the founder Penny Bennell, 73, tells us that the group members are often quite rude to each other, but she insists this is only because they have become such close friends.

Speaking to Nub News , former charity worker Penny tells us what the organisation is all about, how it came around and how to get involved.

How Spin us a yarn Colliers Wood came about

While the group have had so many commissions they can't take anything else on until January, it all started last winter as nothing more than a pastime.

Penny said: "It all started with a couple of friends and walking when we could.

"Like others, we were extremely bored. Somebody had sent an image of the letterbox toppers and I decided to contact a few friends.

"There was only seven of us originally. I started Zoom meetings to keep us occupied during lockdown and we started creating the toppers.

"One of our members lives away caring for her dad and she would send us items via the post.

"Then we were joined by a clever French lady who nits figures, so we started to have experts on board.

"Our first was a rocket topper and I don't think anyone had seen anything like it.

"The toppers are different with a unique style, we use all different nationalities.

"We try to be inclusive. We did one with a woman in a wheelchair to raise money for charity. It's all about helping other people, we're very fortunate and want to give back.

"Our philosophy is to make people smile."

The team spirit

In a time where people have understandably lost contact with many friends due to the consequences of the pandemic, Spin us a yarn Colliers Wood has brought people back together when it was most needed.

Penny tells us that there are some group members who didn't have much contact with anyone but their family before the group began, however, now they are an important part of a group that makes a difference.

There's no doubt about it, Spin us a yarn Colliers Wood are a genuine team. The focus is on the collective working together and having a good time, rather than individuals.

Penny said: "There is no I in group. I keep everyone going and craft with them, I've made some amazing friends through it and I can't thank the local community enough.

"We have a Facebook group, Spin us a yarn Colliers Wood. It's great - seeing how people have progressed, helping each other, give social life back, and it's so nice for the older members."

Maybe what best represents this team spirit is the reaction from Penny when they had one of their crochet toppers stolen. She says that while it is unfortunate, the important work has already been achieved - a diverse group of people coming together and making something to be proud of.

"We had this topper that got stolen - one which was recreating the local park with dog walkers, two basketball players, a bicycle and an old man - and somebody thought it was so beautiful that they had to have it," she joked.

"It's unfortunate that they go missing, but we have had such a pleasure making the items with such a lovely group. People aged between 20 and 83, with a core group of us that actually craft."

How they put it together

When a new project begins, the core crafting team messages each other as they love to surprise all of its members.

When it is finally up and running, that is when they put it on the group.

Certain members of the group have particular skills; people that crochet, knit, needlepoint. Together the group does different bits before it all comes together.

It isn't a full-time job, but it can certainly be like one at times, especially when they're reaching an end of a deadline.

Projects

Recently the group fundraised over £1000 for a local child living with cerebral palsy via the Small Steps charity.

The next project will be to fundraise for St. Barts charity and a child who has a rare condition which has required him to surgery on 86 different occasions. You can support their cause by following this link , or by scanning the QR code which is on the toppers around Colliers Wood.

Another recent piece of work they have done was for The Colour House Theatre in Merton Abbey Mills. As you can see from the video at the top of the story, it is some addition to the children's theatre.

With the group busy with work until January, there is much in the pipeline, as Penny explains.

She said: "We will be doing a decoration for a BT Phone box outside Colliers Wood Library. They generally don't allow you to do those boxes, but we managed to convince them."

"They allowed us to clean it and create a creation that people will see from the bus as they go by. It will happen in the next couple of months - something for people to look forward to."

The community's response

While the team effort is crucial, nothing keeps them going like the positive responses from the community.

"I didn't expect it to be like this. Of course, I'm very busy with it, we've all got something where we get a bit of light relief," she added.

"Love the people in the group and our community - it's very caring.

"It's just lovely helping people. Can't get over how successful we are. I'm so proud of all of the members who are crafting."

How to get involved

If you would like to get involved with Spin us a yarn Colliers Wood, you can request to join its Facebook group and get involved within the community. Similarly, you can also follow the group on Instagram and send a message there.

Spin us a yarn Colliers Wood has been growing rapidly in recent months and there's no surprise why. When speaking to Penny, you can feel her passion and love for what the group does - and there's no doubt that you can see that tenderness and care within each and every design.

Tooting Nub News would like to thank Penny for speaking to us and wishes Spin us a yarn Colliers Wood the best in the future. Please look out for their work and donate when you can.

Have a story in Tooting you'd like to share? Get in touch! Email [email protected], call 07557513104 or tweet @TommyJJourno [I]

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