Billy o' Middle ToonOctober 29th 2019

MRI Scanner Appeal Burra Bear

Billy Middleton contacted me in July to ask if I would be willing to make a Burra Bear to help raise funds for the MRI Scanner appeal, Billy's mam is Harriet of the Harriet's Hats fame, she started a knitting group called MRI MAAKERS who meet every second Thursday, they have a Maakin and Yaakin session using wool donated to make things to sell in aid of the Shetland MRI Scanner appeal, this has now grown arms and legs with knitting patterns for hats, scarves, gloves, headbands and cowls in the same beautiful brightly coloured disctintive Fair Isle pattern.
I was absolutely delighted to help and said yes of course. Harriet dropped off 8 hats, we used 5 to produce 'Billy o' Middle Toon', he turned out perfectly, we used the star on the crown of the hat for his belly and incorporated the other patterns throughout his head and body.

Billy o' Middle Toon

me, Billy & Harriet at the MRI Maakers Wool Week event

The aim was to raise money by holding a raffle, this was incredibly successful and the bear along with some other wonderful prizes raised almost £3000, the draw took place during Wool Week and he was won by Linda Jackson who was attending the event from Canada, now Linda was delighted she had won the bear but decided she would like him to stay in Shetland and carry on raising money for the appeal, how kind was that?
So now Billy attends events to raise awareness for the appeal, the MRI Maakers to date have raised a fabulous £62,000.
The MRI appeal total currently stands at £463,673 (total needed £1,650,000), if you can help out click here to read more and donate.
Billy continues on his quest and is becoming quite famous, he recently travelled to Loch Ness Knit Fest with the 'other Billy', and on his way back bumped into Alan Carr at Sumburgh airport who insisted on a photo, anything to keep the public happy!
You can keep up with Billy's adventures on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter

the adventures continue ...

Harriet, the 'other Billy', Billy o' Middle Toon, me and Linda Jackson

Billy o' Middle ToonOctober 29th 2019