Introducing Cynthia, our latest Neighbourhood Hero

Throughout the pandemic Cynthia Hall has been using her creative skills to crochet, knit and sew.

 

Countless people have benefited from her creativity as she has made everything from face masks, scarfs, scrub bags for hospital staff and tiny hearts used in baby bereavement centres.

 

Cynthia, who is 75 and lives in Parkside explains: “I’ve always been creative. I started sewing as a child and never stopped. Crochet and knitting as well, I love it all.”

 

“It has been a real pleasure to see that the items I have made have been of real practical help to medical professionals as well as the local population.”

 

“I must also thank my friends and local organisations who have helped provide materials.”

 

The items Cynthia made have been distributed to various local charities such as Cramlington Food Bank, Helping Others Together, The Church of the Nazarene and Bright Red Cancer Charity.

 

Lisa Saxton CEO of Bright Red said “Bright Red are very grateful to have Cynthia’s support, especially throughout the numerous lockdowns. The scrubs bags and masks Cynthia made and donated were fantastic and very much appreciated. Being recognised as a Cramlington Town Council Neighbourhood Hero is very much deserved.”

 

Cynthia’s other focus during lockdown is as a member of Sing United, a community singing group, who have sung their hearts out and raised in excess of £20,000 for local charities.

 

She said “Being in Sing United has been such a positive experience. The choir has a great sense of community and I think that singing really is good for the soul.”

 

The choir’s Musical Director Mark Deeks commented “The most important desire is to bring people together who love to sing in a fun environment. But this isn’t just to make a great sound. We also want to demonstrate the amazing power that music can have when it carries a message of hope, or the feelings of a community”.

 

Cramlington Town Council’s Community Engagement Manager Maggie Martin added “I really look forward to seeing what Cynthia has created, she puts so much time and effort into everything she makes and really wants to make a difference. It is such a great way to let others know people are thinking about them. “