Crochet marathon: Where and when you can see special figures including Sir Kevin Sinfield at exhibition
A keen crafter from Roberttown has spent the last two and a half years crocheting her very own marathon scene, which she will be showcasing at a special exhibition.
The extraordinary display, conjured by talented crocheter Louise Rawstron, includes a number of individual figures such as fancy dress runners, wheelchair athletes, marshalls, first aiders, and a band, and measures just over 13 metres in length.
With the project raising money for the MND Association, Sir Kevin Sinfield - an ambassador for the disease having completed yearly marathon challenges since 2020 in honour of former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow - has even been creatively made out of yarn.
And whilst running a 26.2 mile course was certainly not on Louise’s agenda, a crochet marathon was decided as the next best thing.
She explained: “Me and my friend were watching a marathon over a cup of tea. I said that they do great work for charity but I could never run a marathon. She said ‘no, but you could crochet one.’
“I am happy to crochet anything and it planted a seed which got bigger and bigger. I made one, then another, and another, and another. Soon, everybody wanted to give advice, saying ‘if you go to a marathon you always see a marshall and a first aider.’
“It grew and grew and now it is 13.1 metres long.”
Louise’s crochet hook has travelled with her on planes and holidays over the last 30 months before she took some of her work to a knitting and wool fair in Newark for its first public outing at the start of the month.
Now the full display will be on show at Roberttown Community Centre this Saturday, September 26, from 1pm to 3pm.
“It’s a chance for local people to see it,” Louise said. “Lots of people have been talking about it, and people have been saying that you need to see it to believe it.
“The support has been overwhelming so I would like to say thank you to everyone for the encouragement, to the Community Centre for letting me borrow it, and to anyone who has kindly donated money already.
“Everyone has been so kind. We are so lucky because we have such a supportive community in Roberttown. We all look after each other.”
Karen Jeffery, Volunteer Fundraiser for MND Association West Yorkshire Branch, said: “Louise is just a wonderful lady and this will be an amazing exhibition for such a good cause.
“Whether you’re a keen crocheter, a craft lover, or simply curious to see something different, this exhibition is a fun and inspiring showcase of skill, patience and creativity. It’s perfect for all ages, and anyone who loves handmade art so please come and join us.”
To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/crochet-marathon-for-mnd-association?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1dennhaw18a3c