Knitters have '˜Breast Friends' project all sewn up

Around 50 knitted breasts were made during the uplifting ‘Breast Friends’ event kindly hosted by More Coffee Co in Market Place. They even included a blue and white pair crafted with Leicester City’s historic Premier League winning season in mind!

The breasts are to be donated to the Leicester Royal Infirmary’s Osborne ward, where they can be used as an immediate alternative to plastic prosthetics, and to Glenfield Hospital’s Breast Care Centre.

Scalford mum Avril Talbot was the inspiration for Sunday’s successful event and was among the ladies who took part despite the effects of her chemotherapy.

Avril (61) was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. She underwent radiotherapy but the cancer came back in December. She’s had one of her breasts removed and is currently in the middle of her chemotherapy which she’ll have until the end of June. After that it will be 18 months to two years before she can be given the all clear.

Since Sunday Avril has been wearing one of the knitted breasts before she tries a prosthetic next week.

She said: “Sunday’s event in Melton was so lovely. I was there until 3pm talking to people and there were no taboos. They were all busy knitting away, laughing and joking, and it was just incredibly positive.

“The knitted breast I’ve been wearing is comfortable and just the right shape. You want something that’s comfortable and makes you look like everyone else and these knitted breasts are practical too (wool free yarns make them machine washable). This seems a cheap and very cheerful solution which makes you feel normal.”

“For all the knitters to get together so quickly for Sunday’s event shows what a great place Melton is to live in.”

Melton Bookshop owner Catherine Baker, who helped organise the ‘Breast Friends’ event, said: “It went really well. I think over 15 people turned up and we had quite a few new faces.

“We’re going to keep the project going until the end of May before donating all of the knitted breasts.”

A second knit-a-breast session is being held next Friday (May 13), 7pm to 9pm, in Sandy Lane Methodist Church. A further session is set to be held in Melton on Sunday, May 15, with the venue to be confirmed in due course.

Catherine added: “If any ladies would like one of the knitted breasts for themselves they’re welcome to come into the bookshop and have a look at the ones already knitted and choose one.”

If anyone wants to have a go at knitting the breasts or are short of patterns they can nip into the bookshop on Leicester Street for more information.