Blantyre woman's novelty dog hats are a huge success

Dec 20 2012 by Leona Greenan, Hamilton Advertiser

A Blantyre woman has helped raise thousands of pounds for charity in just eight weeks after she and a friend hit on an idea to sell novelty dog hats online.

Allison Walsh, along with ex-pat pal Barbara Galloway - who lives in Murcia, Spain - set up Alibar Dog Knits on the social network site Facebook back in October.

The pair, who share a love for novelty knitting, came up with the idea of making woolly dog hats and jumpers and then posting them, auction style, on Facebook.

The first person to post a ‘sold’ comment under the pictures of their knitted goods then becomes the owner of the garment, with every penny raised from the sale of the goods going directly between two Spanish charities - Galgos del Sol and Galgo Connection Spain, both who help rehome Spanish hunting dogs.

So far the pair have raised over 5000€ and have sold goods all over Europe and regularly as far afield as America and Australia.

They also have over 1060 ‘likes’ on their Facebook page since setting it up just a few weeks ago.

Allison said: “Since starting on our page we have managed to spread a little help and a fair bit of fun around the Galgo Rescue Community. We have donated 2000€ each to Galgos del Sol and Galgo Connection Spain with the funds helping to rescue and transport numerous dogs to new homes. We have also donated to help with the medical expenses of a badly injured Podenca in Cordoba. Not bad for two old ladies with knitting needles.”

The novelty hats sell within seconds of being posted online with many people eagerly awaiting photos of new products each day.

Allison added: “We have been lucky enough to receive some invaluable help from friends across the globe who all knit beautiful hats and I don’t think any of them will be out of work for quite some time. They all do an amazing job and the Galgos are most definitely benefitting.”

Friend and co-founder of Alibar, Barbara Galloway added: “Allison and I met through Facebook, where we were both knitting for Galgo and greyhound auctions. We would both often get repeat orders, however, as pensioners we were finding it a strain on fixed incomes to fund the wool and postage, so we met up and decided to go ahead with a dedicated Facebook page, and hence Alibar Dog Knits was born. This way our wool and postage costs are covered, and everything after that goes direct to charity for these mistreated hounds.”

Wool donations are gratefully received by the pair, who can be reached at the Facebook page Alibar Dog Knits.