Following the launch of their Great Yarn Bomb Challenge, the team at Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) believe they have spotted the first postbox topper, at Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire.
Created by avid topper designer Lee-Anne Willis, a dental hygienist from Farnsfield, the crocheted masterpiece took two weeks to come together with Lee-Anne spending hours each night designing the intricate pattern.
When Lee-Anne heard of LNAA’s Yarn Bomb Challenge she just knew she had to take part. She said: “The Air Ambulance attended a friend of mine last year, and that brought home to me how important their work is in helping people in their time of need.
“I wanted to support their work and so, when I heard they were calling for crocheters and knitters I knew this was something I could get involved in.”
Lee-Anne has been making post box toppers since 2002 and regularly decorates two in Farnsfield. She has become a master scavenger, collecting items that can be used as the frame with which she can then crochet over.
She said: “I don’t use patterns, rather make it up as I go along, I had just made a few hedgehogs for another project and realised the nose pattern would be a perfect match for the nose of the LNAA helicopter! Then using a plastic helicopter toy I was able to create the rotors and wheels and finally added the LNAA logo.”
LNAA’s Volunteer Manager, Kate Kerrigan said: “The yarn bomb challenge is a fabulous way to support the life-saving work of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance from the comfort of your own home.
“With your help, we are looking to colour the counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire yellow. There is still time to get involved. Just grab your knitting needles and crochet hooks and some yellow yarn and register your interest at ambucopter.org.uk/knitting.”
Lee-Anne’s helicopter topper will be on permanent display on the post box in Farnsfield village, one of thousands of helicopters that will be displayed in Lincs and Notts after the Yarn Bomb Challenge is launched in June.
