Royal recognition for school's knitting challenge

Children working to create a giant scarf to wrap around a care home have received royal recognition for the endeavour.

Pupils at St Giles' CofE Primary School in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, have been spurred on in their knitwear challenge after getting a letter from The Prince and Princess of Wales.

School staff and pupils have been helped out from people across the country as they take on their giant scarf challenge.

Business manager at the school Rebecca Chew said the children were filled with an "excited buzz" when they heard of the royal news.

Ms Chew said she was "absolutely delighted" when the letter from Kensington Palace arrived, admitting she never thought she would get a reply.

"It is just lovely to think that our tiny little school, quite a long way from London, has been recognised, somebody from Kensington Palace has taken the time to read that letter and acknowledged the lovely work that the children are undertaking and the work of our community."

She added that "the children were absolutely amazed" when they found out about the letter.

Part of the letter read: "It was most interesting to learn a little about your plans to create a supersized knitted scarf and The Prince and Princess would have me express their sincere hope that the project is a success.

"It was wonderful to hear of the positive impact that knitting has had on the children's mental wellbeing, and it was heartening to read of the ways that the local community has become involved in the project."

The school hope to finish the scarf by 14 July and afterwards it will be donated to a local care home, then the local Muslim prayer centre before being housed at St Giles' Church Shrewsbury.

Ms Chew said the project was about "wrapping our school in love" and "making people smile".

The school is running knitting groups during break times in order to reach their summer deadline.

"The kids are learning how to knit and it is lovely watching some of the children that can knit teaching other children to knit," added Ms Chew.

"It would be lovely for a royal visit when finished but I am sure they are very busy, it it is just nice to get that work acknowledged".

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