Yarn bombers have dedicated their skills to marking the 75th anniversary of the NHS in the best way they know how.

NHS worker Diane Walker spent months crafting the post box topper and other items for the display in Thirsk to mark the special event. It features a whole host of NHS staff as well as a stethoscope, ambulance and even a hospital polishing buffer.

Diane, a team secretary at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The NHS is close to my heart, and I wanted to represent everyone I could. It takes a whole team to keep the NHS going. Not just doctors and nurses, but secretaries, health care assistants, maintenance, psychologists and many others.

“I wanted to honour as many as possible. The NHS is such an amazing and inspiring institution, and I wanted to mark the special anniversary in a special way.”

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Diane, who lives near Thirsk, took up crocheting just a few years ago and, and together with friend Andrea Maloney, has created a whole host of crocheted marvels including a spooky Halloween giant spider, Dracula’s coffin, Christmas nativity scene, the late Queen and an almost life sized figure of Charles and Camilla for the coronation.

She added: “We don’t usually talk about what we do, we just set up our displays as a surprise. People really seem to like them, and get a lot of pleasure from them. I’ve always loved arts and crafts and find making things very therapeutic. It’s my wind down, I’ve always got a crochet hook in my hand and a project on the go.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Yarn bombers mark 75 years of NHS

“We are always planning new things, and I’ll be crocheting for months to make our next design. It’s worth it though, as it helps to put a smile on people’s faces.” 

Huge amounts of work go into each display, with engineering and lots of inventiveness to make sure the figures don’t collapse or bend over when they’re soggy with rain.

Diane, who has worked for the NHS for nearly six years after 30 years in the Civil Service, added: “Everyone benefits from the NHS and we’ve had some great reactions. I think people are pleased to see something a bit different marking the anniversary. Our NHS doesn’t discriminate, it’s open to all. It has cared for generations of my family, and generations of people in Thirsk too. I think we are all proud of the NHS.”