How Hurlingham cerebellar stroke survivor knits hope for people in need
You may have read articles about the remarkable work of the KnitWits 4 the Needy a lot in the Sandton Chronicle. But behind the needles, wool and growing community is Greta Collier, a woman whose own life-changing journey inspired her to start knitting hope for others.
Greta Collier has always had a heart for helping others. But it was a life-changing health setback that led her to discover a new purpose: using knitting and crocheting to make a difference in the lives of people in need.
Today, Collier is the driving force behind KnitWits 4 the Needy Hurlingham, a community of knitters and crocheters who meet every Saturday at Rosebank Union Church to create blankets, clothing and other warm items for people in need.
Read more: Foods that can increase your risk for a stroke
But the story of how this group came to be is as remarkable as the work it does.
Long before she became known for her knitting, Collier was a musician.
Her interest in music began when she had a boyfriend who played in a band. Inspired, she decided she wanted to learn guitar.
“I went for music lessons, and then I was offered a job in a popular band, JD Band. I started playing the band in 1960s and played for about two years. When I saw a lady coming in with a drugs, I thought, okay, it is not for me, I am getting out of here.”
With training as a secretary, Collier returned to the profession she knew well, until she suffered a cerebellar stroke that left her with partial vision, hearing loss, poor balance and difficulty speaking.
Rather than allowing her circumstances to define her, she looked for something meaningful to keep her occupied.
“I chose to keep busy as I have a heart that cares for our needy and destitute folk as well as offering them some hope and love,” Collier said.
“I decided to see if I could knit, so took up some wool and a pair of knitting needles and found that I could Knit but by feel only. I got excited and knew this was where I could thrive.”
In 2014, Collier decided to turn her newfound passion into a knitting group called the KnitWits for the Needy.
She posted on Facebook looking for women who wanted to join her at Rosebank Union Church in Hurlingham on Saturday mornings to knit and crochet items for people in need.
“I was so surprised to see about seven people who had come to join us. And this was only the start! This group is now almost 12 years old, and has grown in leaps and bounds, and we now have over 60 people who make blankets and items of clothing for the needy. We have certain beneficiaries that we donate to as well as the many homeless.”
Also read: Mended Hearts and Stroke Group tackles mental health during the coronavirus pandemic
She added that the group has joined hands with 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.
“With the love that Carolyn Steyn, the founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day and the knitathons give me, I know that I have found my purpose-filled life, keeping extremely busy in my retirement and being able to help those in need. What a dream come true!”
For Collier, the group is about much more than the items they produce. It has become a place where people form friendships, share their talents and find a sense of belonging.
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