Meet Chris And The Morrisons Knit And Natter Group
If you shop at Morrisons in Gravesend, you may have walked past Chris without ever realising the quiet impact he’s had on people across the town. Chris, 36, has worked at the store for 18 years, and for the past 12 he has been its Community Champion – the person who connects Morrisons with local groups, charities and organisations that need a helping hand.
He describes the role modestly: “Anything charity, anything community, it comes to me.”
The store sits directly opposite ellenor, which provides care and support for local people living with life-limiting conditions. “I’ve always had a bond with ellenor,” he says. “I don’t have a personal connection but everyone in Gravesend knows the charity. They’re the heart of the community.”
Over the years, Chris has supported food banks, homeless organisations, and countless local groups but ellenor has remained a constant. During Morrisons’ national partnership with Together for Short Lives – a campaign that directed each store’s fundraising to its nearest children’s hospice – monies raised in Gravesend came to ellenor, strengthening that relationship even further.
Outside work, Chris has a skill few people would expect. His nan taught him to knit at five years old and twelve years later, he decided to teach himself how to crochet. “I’m a crafty person. I’ve always liked making things.” Now he crochets every evening to unwind after work. “It’s nice to use something I love doing – my crochet – to help others, and to help ellenor spread a bit of love too,” he says.
His pieces range from small toys to larger, more ambitious creations. There was the tall crocheted giraffe he made for a summer fair, and more recently a snowman crafted from dozens of individual African flower motifs, each one stitched together by hand. Chris often starts with online patterns, but increasingly he designs his own. Most of what he makes is given away – to nephews, friends or local community events.
He also runs the Knit and Natter group at Morrisons, one of the first things he set up after becoming Community Champion. It began with five people and has grown to around 28 regulars who meet every Wednesday in the café. Some knit, some crochet, some cross stitch, and some simply come for company. Over time, the group has become its own small community, with friendships formed over cups of tea and shared projects.
When Chris brings them a task for ellenor – flowers for pin badges, knitted bears, small items they can make to raise money – they take it on willingly. He never asks more than people want to give. “They don’t have to,” he says. “Only if they want to.”
Chris sees none of this as remarkable. He is shy, gentle and uncomfortable talking about himself. He doesn’t frame what he does as generosity or effort; he simply helps because it feels right. But what is unmistakable is the size of his heart – something ellenor is deeply grateful for.
To Chris, and to the Morrisons Knit and Natter group: THANK YOU. Your kindness helps us continue caring for the people of our local community.
