Dougie MacLean’s Big Knit raises funds for Shelter Scotland

Feb 23 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PEOPLE from all over the world knitted squares for a giant blanket auctioned in aid of Shelter Scotland during singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean’s Perthshire Amber Festival in November.

And now the final amounts have been totted up the charity wants to say a big “thank-you” to everyone involved.

More than £2250 was raised through the auction of the knitted blanket and silent auction of various donated gifts. Included in this final amount was the winning bid of £700 for the blanket which was generously matched by Edradour Distillery, who sponsored the festival.

Money raised will go towards providing housing advice to people across Scotland.

Squares were knitted by people from across the world to help make the blanket and raise funds for Shelter Scotland.

Dougie’s mum Dolly MacLean spent hours sewing together the squares, all of autumnal shades, to make the final blanket in aid of Shelter Scotland in time for the auction.

Butterstone-based Dougie commented: “I just love the Big Knit and the whole idea of the blanket in aid of Shelter Scotland. The reality of people contributing through giving their time and ‘knitting’ efforts is really healthy somehow and it has certainly added another whole colour and layer of activity to our festival.

“The results of the auction were great. We’re proud to be helping lots of people to contribute to Shelter Scotland in ways small and large and hope there is a connection between Shelter Scotland and the Perthshire Amber Festival for many years to come.”

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, the housing and homelessness charity, said: “We are delighted that the funds raised from the auction of the blanket in aid of Shelter Scotland will help us to continue to provide housing advice to people who are facing housing issues or the prospect of losing their home.

“We would like to give our sincere thanks to Dougie and Jenny MacLean for raising awareness and funds for Shelter Scotland, to Dolly MacLean for her sewing and knitting skills, Edradour Distillery and the other successful bidders for their generous donations and to all those who knitted a square for the blanket in aid of Shelter Scotland.”

This year’s Perthshire Amber Festival is from October 29 until November 7 at various Highland Perthshire venues.