81-year-old stroke survivor raises over £2000 for Sunderland hospice after knitting masks with one hand

A kind-hearted 81-year-old woman has raised £2,300 by making facemasks during lockdown – and even continued to support others after suffering several strokes.
By Georgina Cutler
Published 28th Nov 2020, 12:00 BST
Updated 28th Nov 2020, 13:29 BST
Sylvia McBeth with one of the many face masks she hand made to raise funds in aid of St Benedict's hospice. Picture by FRANK REIDSylvia McBeth with one of the many face masks she hand made to raise funds in aid of St Benedict's hospice. Picture by FRANK REID
Sylvia McBeth with one of the many face masks she hand made to raise funds in aid of St Benedict's hospice. Picture by FRANK REID

Sylvia McBeth, 81 is being thanked by St. Benedict’s Hospice in Sunderland after she donated masks that she has sewn to ‘protect everyone’.

The determined pensioner has also knitted sanitary towels for children in need, raised funds for Romanian children and the Stroke Association and raised money to send a neighbour with breast cancer and her son with eye cancer to Florida.

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The ‘much-loved’ fundraiser spent her 80th birthday in hospital and has suffered several strokes but still continues her work in ‘helping everyone’.

Sylvia McBeth (right) presents a cheque to her daughter Alison Keerie from St Benedict's Hospice. Sylvia hand made and sold face masks to raise funds for the hospice. Picture by FRANK REIDSylvia McBeth (right) presents a cheque to her daughter Alison Keerie from St Benedict's Hospice. Sylvia hand made and sold face masks to raise funds for the hospice. Picture by FRANK REID
Sylvia McBeth (right) presents a cheque to her daughter Alison Keerie from St Benedict's Hospice. Sylvia hand made and sold face masks to raise funds for the hospice. Picture by FRANK REID
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Sylvia said: “I just love helping people and I love sewing, so started out by making masks for my grandchildren and now I sew masks most days.

"I wanted to help the hospice as much as I could, and I’ve been in lockdown since March so I was just trying to do my bit.

"I have suffered from two strokes but I’m just trying to make the best of it.”

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Described as an ‘amazing lady’ by staff at the hospice, Sylvia was determined to over come her strokes so started knitting again with one hand days after suffering a stoke!

Sylvia added: “I have always loved making things, even when I was a child and it only started out as making half a dozen masks and now it 40 to 50.

"I love helping anyone so it’s lovely that people appreciate the things I’m making.”

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