Tom Daley’s love of knitting is changing lives. He’s donated four of his exclusive designs to The Brain Tumour Charity, which will be used as prizes to help our cause. And you could win one!
We’ll take a look at Tom Daley and how he became committed to this great cause. Below, we’ll discuss:
- Who’s Tom Daley?
- Tom Daley’s knitting.
- The Tom Daley knitting prize draw.
- How to enter the draw.
Sound good? Great! Let’s dive right in. Yeah, we went there.
Who’s Tom Daley?
Tom Daley is probably most famous for his diving. He competed at an Olympic level aged just 14, representing Great Britain in Beijing in 2008. Since then, he’s competed for the nation in another three Olympic Games, winning three bronze medals along the way.
But, it was the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo that really changed his life. Tom Daley won a gold medal in the 10-metre synchro with diving partner, Matty Lee.
This was the cherry on top of an amazing career that had seen the Devon-born diver become one of the greatest in the world, with his Olympic gold joining a combined total of 11 gold medals from the Commonwealth, European and World Championships.
Following the 2020 Olympics, Tom Daley’s ventures outside of diving have also drawn loads of positive attention. His YouTube channel reached over 1 million subscribers, he’s become a fantastic voice for the LGBTQ+ community and has done lots of incredible work for charity.
In fact, in 2022, Tom Daley was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to diving, LGBTQ+ rights and charity.
That gold medal certainly changed his life in a huge way. But, it wasn’t the only thing that made the Tokyo Olympics so special…
Tom Daley’s knitting
While at the Tokyo Olympics, Tom Daley went to support his fellow athletes at other competitions, taking along one of his favourite hobbies – knitting!
It was during lockdown that Tom Daley first started looking for a new hobby to keep him busy. His husband, Dustin, thought it might be a great way to relax. But, neither of them knew that it would open up a whole new chapter of Tom’s life.
Tom Daley took to knitting like a duck to water. Before he knew it, he’d gone from needle novice to skilled knitter. And, while at the Tokyo Olympics, he decided to create an Olympic themed jumper.
The media photographed Tom knitting this in the grandstands and jumped on the story. This soon captured the attention of the public, and even kick-started “The Tom Daley Effect”, which saw young men and women all over the country snatching up knitting needles. Yeah, he made knitting cool.
But, Tom wasn’t just happy with starting a craze. He wanted to do some good as well. So, he donated that Olympic jumper to charity, having it auctioned off with the proceeds going to brain tumour research and aid in memory of his dad, Robert, who died of brain cancer in 2011.
That jumper went for an impressive £6,000, which led Tom to wanting to do more. So, to coincide with the release of his book, Made with Love, he has designed a new series of brilliant knitwear. And, he’s donated four of these to The Charity to give away as prizes as we push forward towards finding a cure as soon as possible.
My dad died of a brain tumour 11 years ago. He was my biggest supporter, driving me to and from training sessions, and he died in 2011 so didn’t get to see me win my first Olympic medal at London 2012. The Brain Tumour Charity does so much to change the future of people like my dad, raising awareness of the disease and its impact as well as hopefully one day finding a cure.
Tom Daley
The Tom Daley knitting prize draw
Tom Daley has kindly donated four knitted designs which will be available to win. These all feature in Made with Love, Tom’s new book of 30 knitting and crochet patterns!
The prize draw will open on the 30th of November and run until the 4th of January 2023, giving winners a lovely present after Christmas.
Proceeds will go towards driving forward our research and racing to double the survival and halve the harm done by brain tumours.
See how we’re helping brain tumour research!
The prizes you could win
Long Scarf
“A scarf was the first thing I ever knitted, and this is a super-long scarf in pastel-bright block colours of chunky mohair yarn.”
Measurements: One size. Approx. 32cm wide and 210 cm long
Made with Debbie Bliss Nell 78% mohair, 13% merino wool, 9% polyamide
Cable Sweater
“This sweater is a modern take on a traditional cable jumper, knitted in bold monochrome black and white with a slip stitch pattern to the front, back and sleeves and an oversized central cable. It is a stylish autumnal knit, ideal for layering up.”
Made with Cascade 220, 100% Peruvian highland wool
Chevron Throw
“Crocheted in super chunky 100% merino wool for luxurious cosiness. It is reversible, so there is no right or wrong side – just drape it across the sofa, over the end of the bed, on an armchair or around your shoulders.”
Measurements: One size. Approx. 105cm (41 ½ in) wide x 145cm (57 in) long
Made with MWL The Chunky One 100% merino wool
Top Down Fair Isle Sweater
This cosy Fairisle sweater is a play on the traditional knits named after the colour-work technique originating from the Shetland Islands, the northernmost part of Scotland. Featuring bright neons on a black background using the stranding technique.
Made with Rowan Big Wool, 100% Merino wool.
How to enter the prize draw
Entry is easy through the dedicated Crowdfunder page!
Donation entries are a little different based on the design you’d like. So, check out the below for a clear idea:
Scarf:
- £5 donation = 1 entry
- £10 donation = 3 entries
- £30 donation = 10 entries
Fair Isle Sweater, Throw and Cable Sweater:
- £10 donation = 1 entry
- £20 donation = 3 entries
- £50 donation = 10 entries
- £100 donation = 30 entries
One of these Tom Daly knitted designs would make a great present for a fan you know or a brilliant treat for yourself. So, help Tom’s cause and enter below!