A DROITWICH mum who has raised thousands of pounds for St Richard’s Hospice in memory of her son has turned to knitting to bring in even more donations.

Sue Fletcher, whose son Paul was cared for by the charity, has been busy knitting colourful scarves which are proving to be best sellers. She has already knitted 120 scarves which she has sold to raise £700 for St Richard’s Hospice.

Sue, 63, and her husband John, are well known in Droitwich for regularly opening their garden at Hiraeth, in Showell Road, to raise funds. They also hold a family fundraising walk each year on the date of Paul’s birthday as well as other fundraising challenges.

John and Sue’s youngest son, Paul, who had cancer, died in December 2010, aged 34.

Sue says she used to knit while she was sitting with Paul when he was cared for at the hospice and the whole family were so grateful for the way in which all the staff at St Richard’s cared for not only Paul in his last weeks but also the rest of the family.

“I do enjoy knitting and love the feeling that it is raising money for St Richard’s. When I do it I can feel Paul looking down at me thinking well done, mum. I knitted while I was with him in the hospice and there is a connection there.”

She added that her knitting has become so popular that she is often stopped by strangers asking to buy a scarf. She was sitting knitting in a tea room recently when another customer asked to buy a scarf and paid on the spot. She has also sold them in the USA, Germany and Madeira.

She sells the scarves for £12 each with all the profits (approx £6 per scarf) going to St Richard’s. Anyone interested in buying a scarf can call her on 07752717243.

St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and supports their families.

For more information visit strichards.org.uk