The Coral Collective Hospital Project

I've spent a lot of time in waiting rooms and clinics over the years, clutching Andy's hand and worrying desperately. I always vowed that when they found out what was wrong and my time in those places was done, then I would set up a project to say thanks to the doctors & to help others in that situation. Something a bit different that made a difference.

Well, before a short stay in hospital last April to SORT IT ALL AAAAT, the idea hit me, and the Coral Collective was born.

It's taken a while to get the idea straight in my head (being involved in the IFF's reef inspired and re-organised my thoughts), as did chatting to fibre activists such as frau fiber.

Roughly, the Coral Collective is:
To provide the clinic with a basket of small bags, each containing a fibre (yarn, wool, felt) project with instructions of how to turn that fibre into a coral.
To then turn those corals into a piece of artwork for the clinic wall to brighten the lives of those who attend and work there.
To create a common 'thread' (excuse the pun) between the individuals attending the clinic and people across the world, so that they may realise that they're not alone.

So I submitted my idea to the clinic last month and they gave me the go ahead.
And then I submitted a funding proposal to the lovely people at Lush, whom I've been working with Christmas decorations on - And they said YES!

So I had an idea, permission & funding!

Next, I needed stuff to put in those project bags; yarn, crochet hooks, knitting needles, scissors, a way to keep the scissors safe, etc. Step in the wonderful generosity of people. And boy, this just gets better and better.

Yarns have already begun to be donated.

Next came the corks to keep the scissors safe. Thanks to Jane's and her husband's livers!

Now, I know that I can find crochet hooks and knitting needles in charity shops for very little, so I wasn't worried about getting hold of them, but the scissors were nagging at me. They were going to take a large chunk of the funding, meaning that I could provide fewer project bags.

Step forward the local airport security team.
Now, I don't know about you, but everytime I go through an airport, I salivate over the 'sharps' box (which often contains my own confiscated needles).
I made a few enquiries and found out that these sharps are donated to charities, so I chanced my arm and asked if I could be one of those charity projects.

They said "Yes", too! I have enough little pairs of scissors to keep this projects going for ages.

And now I've got nothing holding me back except the time to make the instruction leaflets with pics of made up coral. I've started a few easy ones.

So watch this space.
It's my plan make this so successful that it rolls out into clinics everywhere. If it's something you would like to install in a clinic close to your heart, then please do contact me as I'll happily work with you on it.

And a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to everyone that's helped and donated! You're all wonderful!

Comments

[clairol]

What a truly wonderful and inspiring idea!

Your package is in the mail today! :)