Postbox toppers celebrate charity anniversary

1 August 2025

Clare AshfordBBC News, West Midlands

News image — The knitting groups have created 40 post box toppers

Age UK Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Eight women are standing in a line in front of a table, smiling. There are two postbox toppers on the table with knitted figurines on them. Some are knitting, some are sitting down and one is on a chair. one of the toppers reads "75 years age uk" — The knitting groups have created 40 post box toppers

A team of Shropshire knitters and crafters has created 40 postbox toppers to raise funds for a charity to mark a landmark anniversary.

Age UK Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin delivers services and activities for older people, and is aiming to raise £75,000 for its 75th year in service.

Women from the charity's knitting and craft groups took on the challenge, with the toppers placed in Newport, Broseley, Shawbirch, Telford and Shrewsbury.

Claire Fishlock, of the charity, said there was a variety of designs, adding: "We have got older people, some with grey hair, but we've also got some with roller skates, with disco outfits on, wine glasses, tea and coffee cups."

"We had such fun putting them together," she said.

Ms Fishlock, from the charity's wellbeing team, added: "We wanted to reflect Age UK through the generations, and we didn't realise when we took on the task how big of a task it was going to be, so we reached out for help."

Age UK Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin A close-up of a knitted postbox topper. There are four knitted people on there - a man with glasses sitting down, a woman with a walking stick, a woman sitting down and knitting and another woman sitting on a yellow armchair. A knitted sign which is partly visible reads "75 years age uk" — The group wanted the toppers to reflect the charity

The toppers will be on the post boxes for about two months.

"We're just a small part of a huge group of people who are so generous," said Ms Fishlock.

"We hope one day someone will be there for us when we need it.

"These charities need to survive."

Age UK Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Two women in wheelchairs are next to a red Royal Mail post box. It has a topper on it that is knitted. It is teal blue with pink flowers on it. The women are pointing up at it. — The charity wants to raise £75,000 to celebrate its 75th anniversary

"After working hard and then retiring, you lose your way a little bit," said knitter Sue Hasley.

"You don't have to be an amazing knitter, or sewer, or crafter, because believe me I'm not... but it's all about the social side.

"The Age UK groups have given me a purpose in life now, I had lost my confidence because I had a bit of a breakdown a while ago and it's given me my confidence back."

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