Connie lives the Goode life

From providing medical aid to thousands of wounded soldiers in World War II to knitting beanies for charities, Connie Goode has spent a lifetime helping others.

Originally born in Buckinghamshire in south-east England, 97-year-old Connie said she learnt how to knit at primary-school and has done so for more than ninety-years.

“I’ve been knitting all my life and I love it. It’s such a lovely hobby and you never forget how to knit. When I went to school we were taught how to knit socks.

“That was in my time though I doubt they teach knitting in primary schools now. I find it (knitting) so motivating especially when it is for charity which is a great thing.”

Connie contacted the Beaut Beanie Group located in Torquay a few months ago after completing several knitted dolls with the intention of donating them to charity.

Fellow group member Jan Hale said the organisation had been running for over nine years with close to ten members and often knits trauma bears for various agencies.

“We’ve knitted literally thousands of beanies as well as scarves and blankets for Cottage By The Sea, The Andrew Love Centre and Red Cross.

“You name it: any local agency that needs beanies or warm gear, we assist them.

“We were honoured when Connie contacted us to become a member of our group; her work is just beautiful. We called Red Cross and a representative came and received the dolls last week.”

Jan said that one day over strawberry shortcakes and tea, the ladies discovered what an adventurous life Connie has led.

“I was a nurse during World War II in an emergency hospital in Northwood Middlesex. We had about 2,000 beds and there were wounded soldiers from the Army, Navy and Air Force,” Connie said.

“I went there at the beginning of the war and stayed for six years.

On June 5, 1944, I was sent on a hospital train and picked up patients from various stations and took them to hospitals all throughout England. We went as far as Greenock, Scotland to find patients beds.”

While life may be a little quieter now for Ms Goode, she said has no intention of slowing down any time soon and will knit as long as she possibly can.