More than 1,200 knitted animal pouches, blankets, wraps and even nests have been produced by knitters, sewers and stitchers across the island.

In a community response to the wild fire disaster that has swept across much of Australia over the past few months, leaving millions of animals, including Koala bears, Kangaroos and more, homeless or, in some cases, orphaned and in need of shelter, local crafters have joined together to create as many items of animal bedding as possible.

Groups in Jurby, Kirk Michael, Douglas and Castletown, amongst many other smaller groups and individuals, have spent the past two weeks turning donated fabric into items of all shapes and sizes, which will be shipped to Australia this weekend.

Sarah Berry organised a series of workshop at the British Legion Hall in Janet’s Corner, Castletown, where groups of knitters and crafters have produced hundreds of items over a short period of time.

’We’ve been doing this for the past two weeks now, and we have had so many people come in a help, either for one day or the whole fortnight,’ said Sarah. ’It’s impossible to tell how many items we’ve made, but it is running into the hundreds now.

’We have so many piles of things, including, amazingly enough, little nests.

’There are so many young birds without anywhere to nest, or trees to go to, that animal groups are actually requesting people to knit nests.

’It is incredible the level and scale of what has happened out there.’

Sarah said that many of the people took part in the sessions came out of a desire to help and because they have a relatives in the area.

’A lot of people who have joined in did so as they have got connections with people in Australia, and they just feel that they want to do something,’ said Sarah

’But we also have a lot of people who just want to help.

’When you see something happening across the world like this, a lot of people do feel powerless and want to do something, no matter what it is, to help.

’This has given people a good chance to do that.’

’Making these items also raises a lot of awareness about how animals suffer in fires like those we are seeing now.

’We’ve all since learnt that it’s not just for this fire that they need help making animal bedding and blankets. They actually need them all the time.

’The strangest thing I have seen made here has been a tiny, and I mean tiny, little blanket, with Velcro, that are needed to keep kittens warm.

’It is not just wild animals that have been affected, but domestic pets too. The range of animals that have been affected is just staggering.’

Many of those taking part in the knitting workshops were happy to give up their time, and were happy to put their skills to use for a good cause.

’There are a lot of people who like to knit and sew as a hobby, and it is great to be able to put our skills and our interest to good use.

’Also, the social side of this has been terrific. We’ve all met and made friends with people we wouldn’t have normally met otherwise.’

The collection of finished pouches has been organised by Kim Kneen, who has helped to arrange the donations of fabric and to collect and count the finished items.

There has been an estimated 1,200 items created across the island so far, with many more waiting to be handed in before the cut-off date on Friday, when there will be a global assessment ’stock take’ of donated items.