For the past few Christmases, residents of Ruddington have benefitted from ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ – where a mystery benefactor and his helpers have posted hundreds of envelopes marked ‘R.A.K’, each containing £100 in cash to lucky local recipients in our village, Clifton and Silverdale.
Some villagers even had a wad of money thrust at them whilst walking down the street! After the identity of the generous individual behind it was finally revealed in December 2021, it inspired creatives from the ‘Handmade in Rudd’ group to launch their own community initiative – dubbed ‘Ruddy Kind Acts’ – which they hope Ruddingtonians will get behind for this New Year.
Liz Dean, who helps to run the popular village Facebook page, explains: “January and February can sometimes feel very empty months so it can help to boost both our own mental health to feel we are participating and involved with something and also that of any recipients.”
Ideas of things people can get involved with include:-
- making little items to leave out for people to find and take home
- making tiny hats for premature babies in our local hospitals
- twiddle muffs/blankets, brooches and flowers for Bloomin’ Dementia to give out
- small hats for Innocent Smoothie drinks to raise money for Age UK
- premature baby hats and and ‘Teddies for Uganda’ for Ruddington’s The Mustard Seed Project
Links to patterns and YouTube videos for ideas can be found in the files section of the ‘Handmade in Rudd’ Facebook page. If you’re interested, you just need to ask to join the group to get access – and then get started on your own ‘Ruddy Kind Acts’.
In addition to this, their ‘Yarn Ninjas’ are planning how to decorate parts of our village for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this June. They would love to hear from knitters, pom pom and tassle makers, crocheters and sewists – again via the ‘Handmade in Rudd’ Facebook page.
Liz adds: “It is entirely up to individuals what they would like to do and any ideas are welcomed. For anyone learning to crochet or knit, there are small items you can make and practice at the same time … double bonus! We are also planning classes and tutorials.”
‘Yarn Ninjas’ from Handmade in Rudd were also responsible for a surprise Christmas ‘yarn bomb’ in Ruddington this year. If you missed it, you can read about it and see all the photos >>HERE<<.
