.One of Britain’s oldest fundraisers has gathered more than £106,000 for charity at 101 years old — and shows no signs of slowing down, writes SWNS Reporter Lauren Beavis.
Edna Liddicoat proves age is just a number when it comes to supporting a charity close to your heart.
Edna reached her fundraising goal of £100,000 before her 100th birthday in November 2022.
But with more than £6,000 raised during Easter and Christmas last year, Edna shows no sign of stopping her fundraising for the Merlin Neuro Therapy Centre, based at Hewas Water.
Dubbed the ‘Chick Lady,’ Edna and her team of fellow knitters have produced thousands of festive chicks and Father Christmas’ to sell across Cornwall over the years.
Edna said: “Doing this gives me a sense of purpose and I know those who help me feel the same, they love to know they are supporting a good cause.
“At my age I can’t always do what I use to do, but I can knit.”
Merlin Neuro Therapy Centre, located in Mid-Cornwall supports adults, young people and children living with long-term neurological conditions and/or neuro diversities to access specialist therapies, support, and information in a safe, supportive environment to help them improve their physical and mental well-being.
They are confident Edna is the oldest active fundraiser in Cornwall and would love to hear from other organisations who have sensational centenarian fundraisers.
Inspired by her granddaughter, Karen Medlyn a former nurse, who had MS, Edna and her family became instrumental in fundraising activities centred around Edna’s love for all things creative - and have been raising money for the charity since 2004.
Sadly, Karen passed away in 2014 aged just 44.
In memory of her granddaughter, Edna vowed to continue to fundraise for the charity that had supported Karen.
Regardless of people’s ages, if they are interesting in finding out about fundraising or volunteering for the Merlin Neuro Therapy Centre, they urge everyone to get in touch here www.merlincentre.org.uk