A group of pensioners have handed £822 to charity after spending the winter months knitting hat covers for chocolate oranges. 

Neighbours and friends who live in independent retirement flat complex Crathes Court, in Muirend, devoted many hours and late nights to the task, before selling the items to fund Brain Tumour Research. 

They chose the charity in memory of Katy, the granddaughter of group member Betty Finnie, who passed away aged five in July 2009.

Katy and her family were welcomed with open arms by the East Renfrewshire community after the youngster took ill suddenly while on holiday in Scotland and was diagnosed with a grade 1 glioma in July 2008.

Betty, 84, told the Barrhead News: “I have been at Crathes Court for eight years and before Covid we had afternoon teas and sent money to Macmillan and charities like that but this was something different.

“We did it for the brain cancer charity because they (Katy’s family) were given a nurse to see them through the final year day by day and to help her parents.

“She had said that when she started this job, this particular part of the job, there was maybe one a month, but there was now maybe five a month, 10 a month even with this particular (tumour) and they don’t know what causes it. 

“The more research they can do, the nearer they will get to a cure.”

Following Katy’s diagnosis, the family, who were over visiting from Canada, spent a year living in Busby where residents, Carolside Primary and the council showed “wonderful” kindness and rallied round to ensure they had everything they needed.

As well as raising funds, Betty hopes the knitting group’s efforts will raise awareness of brain tumours in children.

“Keep your eye on them and anything untoward go straight to a doctor because you just never know,” added Betty.

To find out more and to donate to Brain Tumour Research visit braintumourresearch.org.