Donations of wool and plenty of hands helped a group of women to create a companion for their already famous knitted car.

Grans on the Run, Pat Wilson and Jill Burford, hit the headlines in 2016 when they took their knitted car Bessie on a charity car challenge to Rome in aid of Martha Trust.

Following their second cross-Channel trip, this time to Monte Carlo, the team – including new recruit Jenny Knight – were invited to the NEC Birmingham for the popular Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts show.

When the grans told the organisers about their plans to cover a new vehicle they were offered a complimentary double stand, with Bessie given pride of place at the entrance to the event.

Ms Wilson said: “We only had four days to cover the van and we knew we had to recruit visitors to the show to join in, knit squares plus sew them together."

Bertha the Van was born and £1,000 was raised for Martha Trust which provides lifelong care for people with profound physical and learning disabilities.

Ms Burford added: “Lots of wool was very generously donated by Woman’s Weekly and the Knitting Network - we want to thank them all.

“A special thanks goes to the creative and craft TV channel and Hochanda TV for broadcasting and publicising the challenge live and to Jodi Firmin of ICHF Events for her tremendous support and making it possible.”

Fundraising and events officer for Martha Trust Kerry Rubins also lent a hand.

She said: “It was fantastic to support the grans with this challenge and to assist them on the stall for a couple of days at the NEC.”

Christmas events for Martha Trust

Martha Trust will hold its second Christmas Fayre at The Ocean Rooms in Queen Street, Deal, on Friday from 5pm to 9pm.

Goodwin Academy has loaned 30 6ft tables to be used by stall holders.

Emma Smith Foley and Sam Russell from Barclays will be helping at the event and have offered to match fund what is raised. Deal Co-op has supplied refreshments to sell.

Miss Rubins said: “It is the first time we have had a Deal Christmas Fayre so we would love everyone to come along and support it.”

A small ensemble from Sandwich Concert Band will be playing carols at the Co-op in Sandwich on Sunday, December 10 from 10am to noon collecting funds for the charity.

Five more music events are needed to help the charity reach its target of 30 Music4Martha fundraisers in its 30th anniversary year.

If you’re holding a carol service, gig or school event which involves music and would like to help their cause, call 01304 610448.