Strength & Resilience of Sheffield Women Immortalised Through Charity Scissor Raffle 

Big hearted South Yorkshire scissor manufacturer Whiteley is to host a charity raffle for a bespoke scissor, handcrafted and manufactured in their Sheffield factory to celebrate the strength and resilience of women. 

In support of the women and children of YWCA Yorkshire, Whiteley has created a special edition bespoke 12” Tailors Shear. This one-of-a-kind collector’s item is available exclusively through a charity raffle launched today by Whiteley. https://www.whiteley.co.uk/whiteley-charity/ 

Raffle tickets are available for just £10 from 9am Monday 16 June 2025 to 9am Wednesday 16 July. A prize draw for one exclusive winner of this high value shear will be made on Friday 18 July. 

The custom-made scissor features handles colour-matched to YWCA Yorkshire’s iconic house-purple, a gold-plated bolt, and is finished with the Whiteley crest, stamped using a newly commissioned tool made by fellow Sheffield company, Pryor Marking Technology. The shears are individually stamped “1 of 1” using an original Pryor hand-stamp set from the Whiteley archives. 

YWCA Yorkshire is part of a global network of charities supporting women world-wide. The South Yorkshire charity works with more than 250 families locally in Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. 

Money raised from the online charity raffle will benefit women, children and families who have experienced homelessness, domestic violence, relationship breakdowns and financial hardship in South Yorkshire, England.  

The charity works directly with some of the most vulnerable and also the most resilient communities in the region, supporting women to create better futures for themselves and their children. 

The oldest scissor maker in the western world, Whiteley has a global reputation for the craftsmanship and innovation of precision blades. As proud recipients of the much coveted Made in Sheffield mark and Master Cutlers since 1875, their story is steeped in Sheffield’s renowned steel and manufacturing heritage. The philanthropic move to support local communities through the charity raffle of their customised scissor, is greatly received by YWCA Yorkshire, as the charity strives to meet the growing demands for its services. 

YWCA Yorkshire Chief Executive Diane Offers, said: “The strength and resilience of women is something we celebrate every day through our work supporting young women and their children up and out of unsafe situations. It is absolutely marvellous that this message will be immortalised through this unique set of shears. Funds raised through the raffle will help us provide specialist trauma-informed support to local families who will go on to create better futures right here in South Yorkshire. We are incredibly proud to have partnered with Whiteley whose heritage, craft and quality is world-renowned, and we are so grateful for everyone's support in raising these vital funds.” 

Whiteley Sales & Marketing Manager Jade Shemwell, said:   “We believe strongly in supporting our local community, especially a charity like YWCA Yorkshire, whose values of strength, resilience, and empowerment resonate deeply with our own.  

“Craftsmanship, heritage, and care are at the heart of everything we do, and this project allowed us to bring those values together in a truly meaningful way. The special edition shears are more than just a tool and we’re incredibly proud of the team who made them, and we hope bidders will recognise the story, dedication, and purpose behind this unique pair.” 

This bespoke shear is not only a collector’s item, but a symbol of craftsmanship, heritage, and hope. Whether you're a lifelong Whiteley supporter or simply wish to stand behind the mission of YWCA Yorkshire, this is a unique opportunity to own something meaningful in recognition of the strength and resilience of South Yorkshire women.