25 Feb 2022 Community

Batley and Birstall support group launch their easter chicken campaign

One of The Kirkwood’s longest running fundraising campaigns takes place every single year and is organised by our amazing Batley and Birstall Support Group. Every year since 1985, our dedicated supporters have knitted super-cute chickens to support local people affected by life limiting illnesses here in Kirklees.  

Margaret Davis and her amazing knitters have built up a fantastic product that is sold in The Kirkwood shops, and in a host of local establishments including pubs, shops and community venues.  

What's even more brilliant is the journey the group have been on. From knitting fewer than 50 chickens when they first began, it’s now become an industry with the hard working crafters producing thousands each year. Included in their knitted designs are chickens with hats, bunny rabbits and lambs, and all come with a delicious chocolate treat. At Christmas they also made snowmen.  

Margaret is delighted that people still go clucking mad for the knitted chickens after so many years and is proud that the efforts of The Batley and Birstall Support Group’s band of volunteers continue to raise so much for The Kirkwood, year after year. 

Margaret said of the group and it's fundraising: "Back in 1985, a woman brought to the group a copy of Women's Weekly magazine and in that was a knitted pattern of a chicken with a bow around its neck. She had a friend who was a mobile hairdresser who said to her if you knit me some I'll sell them to my customers and raise some money for The Kirkwood. That is basically how it all started.  

"The next year we bought 48 eggs, now we do 3000 eggs. The supermarket's donate a lot of the eggs to us which is amazing.  

"We have a lot of help, whether it's people from different churches around the local area or various arts and crafts groups. Some knit the bodies, some do the heads and hats and then folk like me put them together.  

"It's a bit of an oiled machine now and people know what they are doing. People are knitting through the winter and then from Christmas to Easter we start to organise the selling part.  

"We normally deliver to 40 places or so, which is just fantastic. Places like The Liversedge have been amazing supporters for us and they help to sell a huge amount. 

"I have to say Chris and Helen Wilds are just brilliant at The Liversedge. Their young staff have done all sorts of great things for The Kirkwood, even jumping out of a plane. The staff buy lots of chickens and help to sell them to their customers. Honestly we can't thank them enough for what they do." 

Margaret is in no doubt how much The Kirkwood is needed by people in Kirklees. She believes it's an invaluable community of people that do amazing work.  

She said: "Luckily I haven't had any of my family who have needed to use The Kirkwood, but I know lots of my friends have. They constantly tell me how brilliant everyone is and obviously from working closely with people involved at the charity over a long period of time you get to know the great team involved.  

"Whenever you mention you are raising funds for The Kirkwood people seem to just open their purses and wallets. The Kirkwood has stayed close to its community and I think that's helped them get the message out there. Yes there is more to be done in terms of telling people about the services provided but I do think attitudes and how people think about the charity are changing."  

Finally Margaret wanted to say a huge thank you to all involved with the chicken launch.  

She said: "I would just like to say a huge thanks to everyone involved, whether you knit the products, sell them or buy them. Without your support we wouldn't be able to raise the funds we do which ultimately helps The Kirkwood Support Life.”