SKIBBEREEN knitters have donated 100 bees to the Christmas shoebox appeal coordinated by local woman, Sally Daly, writes Jackie Keogh.

Sally, with the help of her dependable volunteers and transition year students, is still busy wrapping the shoeboxes, which will be distributed internationally as part of the Team Hope initiative.

‘I couldn’t tell you how many will be sending this year because they are still coming in from individuals, groups and schools,’ said Sally, who was most appreciative of the brightly-coloured, knitted bees which are the perfect size to fit into the gift boxes.

Skibbereen librarian Sharon O’Mahony said they were knitted by about 25 local craftspeople, who are part of a group that is open to anyone to join between 10am and 12 noon every Wednesday.

This year, as part of the environment Make One Change Campaign, they knitted bees to educate young children about their significance to the environment.

And, at the end of a mini bee festival at the library, which included a week-long bee story time for schools, the 100 bees were handed over to Sally.

This year, Team Hope is predicting that a huge Cork effort could see the shoebox appeal break the three million mark in time for Christmas.