WOMEN recovering from breast cancer have bosom buddies they can rely on – a group of knitters from a Northallerton department store.
Members of the Knit and Natter group that meets every Friday in Barkers department store have had their needles clicking in support of women recovering from breast cancer.
Barkers Bosom Buddies knitters make colourful and comfortable padding out of a soft cotton yarn, which are available free of charge to women who have undergone mastectomies or lumpectomies.
Bosom buddies come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit into the bras of women who have undergone a mastectomy and are undergoing treatment.
Donations have raised £275 in aid of the Breast Cancer Support Group at Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital.
Barkers presented a £cheque from the proceeds over the last 12 months to members of the group at the department store on the Northallerton High Street.
Organiser Dawn Ledger, Barkers head of customer services, said: “Women who have been treated at the Friarage Hospital come into the store following a mastectomy for our free bra fitting service.
“Our bosom buddies are free of charge but women can, if they wish, make a donation to the Breast Cancer Support Group. We have received some very generous donations, from £5 to £75.
“Our bosom buddies come in different colours and sizes and are proving extremely popular. They can also be knitted to order if a particular size or colour is needed.
“They are washable and super-soft so are comfortable against skin, especially where there is scarring or if the area is feeling tender following radiotherapy or a mastectomy.
“Our Knit and Natter group really enjoy making them and the Friarage Breast Cancer Support Group have said they think the bosom buddies are a wonderful idea.”
Bosom buddies take around three hours to knit and are knitted all in one piece so there are no seams to chafe any scars or delicate tissue.
The Knit and Natter group has been going since 2014 and up to 15 women meet every Friday afternoon between 1.30pm and 3.30pm in Barkers Kitchen restaurant.
Barkers has raised £4,000 during the past four years for the Friarage Breast Cancer Support Group through a variety of fundraising initiatives.
