A GRANDMOTHER armed with her knitting needles has taken inspiration from the Andover Advertiser to help the air ambulance.

Eve Simpson, from Westfield Court retirement development, in Andover, spotted an article in the paper on June 1 about 90-year-old skydiver Stanley Full, and wanted to help the charity in her own way.

She said: “The work done by all air ambulance teams across the country is astounding and when I saw the article in the paper I thought ‘how can I help?’ So I picked up my knitting needles. I ran out of yellow wool but had plenty of orange which is when I was inspired to knit the dolls.”

Using the photograph from the paper and a search of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance’s (HIOWAA) website 88-year-old Eve knitted three dolls in just 12 days.

Eve created a doll of HIOWAA specialist critical care paramedic, John Gamblin and Dr Matt Kerton as well as a HIOWAA paramedic mascot.

Friends at Westfield Court rallied around to help the grandmother-of-seven raise money for the air ambulance and decided to raffle off the dolls with the draw taking place on Thursday, July 5, raising £223 for the charity.

But her knitting did not stop there as Eve has also completed 24 hats for the staff to wear and they will be sent to HIOWAA in hope that they will be put to good use for those who tackle emergency calls on cold winter nights.

HIOWAA chief executive Alex Lochrane said: “We’re so grateful to Eve for her support. Everyone at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance loved seeing the photos, and Dr Matt and Paramedic John were very humbled to have been her chosen subjects.

“I’m always impressed at the different ways in which people support us. Every donation, big or small, makes a huge difference to our charity and helps to keep the air ambulance flying and saving lives.

“Thank you, Eve.”