Worms of the wriggly, colourful, crochet variety are building in numbers at Cancer Society Nelson Tasman as volunteers turn yarn into quirky characters for fundraising.
It began last year when volunteer Sandra Carter crocheted some ‘worry worms’ for the charity to add to its annual Daffodil Day fundraiser, and the idea grew, and grew some more, until there were about 1,700 of the tactile wee fellows.
Now the call has gone out for volunteers to get their crochet hooks working on more for this year’s big fundraising day in August.
Events co-ordinator Vick Sharp says one volunteer made 300 worry worms last year, but any number is welcome and it is one way for people to help with the fundraising efforts from the comforts of their own home.
“It’s a good hibernating winter exercise! And a good way to use up scrap wool.”
She likens them to a stress ball or a fidget spinner because people can squeeze the springy worms to help relieve stress.
When the worry worms are dropped off the charity, eyes are added and they are packaged with a note to perk people up.
Some have gone to the oncology ward along with the charity’s painted hope stones and some make it as far as Christchurch for locals who have had to travel for their cancer treatment.
“People love them because people have put a bit of effort into making them.”
Vick is hoping they will pass last year’s number of worry worms and have more on the street for Daffodil Day on August 29 so people can get give them to someone they know.
“You take just one idea and run with it and it connects the community. This is a little idea that has multiplied and now we have a worm farm!”
She says the worms are easy to make with the help of the YouTube tutorial on the charity’s Facebook or email her at victoria@cancernelson.org.nz so she can email the link.
Worms can be dropped off at the Nelson office or Vick will pick them up from Richmond or Wakefield.
