ORGANISERS of a unique fundraising campaign are appealing for more knitters to keep up with demand.

Anne Soper, from Pickering, is marking the 10th year since the death of her son, Mike, by encouraging people to knit or sew mice to raise money for the Cardiomyopathy Association (CMA). Cardiomyopathy is a common medical cause of sudden death in people under 35s.

She is being supported by Tracy Bush, owner of Poppies Tearooms in Burgate, Pickering, whose son Leon died from a similar condition in 2006.

Anne said Mike's Mice had so far raised £1,095.55, including £476 by her daughter Jennifer, who ran the London Marathon in April.

“ Mike’s Mice fundraising is going very well and I am delighted with the wonderful support especially from the people of Pickering who have made and bought mice," she added.

"The mice have really captured peoples imagination and many have shown great interest in the fundraising which will go on for the rest of 2014 for the Cardiomyopathy Association.

Anne said she would especially like to thank Poppies Tearooms and The Sun Inn for their wonderful support.

"We are planning a Mouse Auction for August 28 and would be delighted to receive any items to auction and also have a selection of greeting cards which have been handmade by a friend of mine for the fundraising, and they all have the charity logo on the back."

Tracy, who runs 'knit and natter' sessions at Poppies Tearooms, said they would be grateful for more knitters to keep up with demand.

"We keep selling out of the mice and at the moment there is just three of us regularly knitting so more help would be welcome," she added.

"I can usually knit a mouse in around 20 minutes so they don't take long and as a group of mice is called a mischief I always say that while I'm knitting I'm making mischief."

Mice patterns are available at www. cardiomyopathy. org Money and any mice made or items for the auction can be donated at Poppies tearooms, The Sun Inn, in Pickering, Gazette & Herald office, in Yorkersgate, Malton, or send donations to www. michael. soper. muchloved.com or to the CMA, marked Michael James Soper Tribute Fund.