Wear a woolly

Almost half of people in the UK (47 per cent) have received a woolly present for Christmas that they have never worn or only worn once or twice.

That’s according to new research* revealed today by Age Cymru.

With just a few weeks to go until Bobble Day (10 February) - Age Cymru’s annual fundraising event to help older people in winter - the Charity is asking people to resurrect their winter woollies, wear them with pride, and donate £2 to Age Cymru.

The survey* also shows that:

• Almost a quarter (22 per cent) of women have received a woolly present that has never been worn;
• Nearly a fifth (17 per cent) of UK adults put the last woolly present they received at the back of their wardrobe or in the bottom of a drawer and haven’t taken it out since;
• Over a third (36 per cent) of men have been given a winter woolly that they have only worn once or twice;

Despite these figures, wacky woollen items have enjoyed a recent renaissance with online retailers reporting a huge 600% increase in sales** of festive knits compared to last year, so why not wrap up in your most colourful and crazy knits on 10 February?

The fashion-forward could even team neon legwarmers with stripy jumpers, giant jumper dresses with woolly socks, and even create matching outfits for pets!

The money raised will go to Age Cymru’s Spread the Warmth campaign to help keep older people warm and well during what can be extremely difficult winter months for thousands across the country.

Richard Nicholls, Director of Income Resources at Age Cymru, says:

“Bobble Day will give everyone a chance to get creative with their winter knits.

“We’re calling on everyone to find their inner-fashionista and to finish off their woolly outfit with a colourful bobble – soon to be available from Age Cymru shops or Wilkinson stores – to show their support for ending needless suffering for older people in winter.

”Bobble Day is definitely a chance to have fun, but there is a serious issue at its heart; 12 older people die needlessly every day in winter in Wales due to the cold.

“While Christmas is over and thoughts turn to the spring ahead, February is often one of the coldest months of the year and many older people will be suffering.

“By getting involved in Bobble Day you can help us change this.”

So get behind this season’s woolly craze and join the pack of celebrities who’ve been seen sporting festive knits this season, with Justin Bieber donning a red and white snowflake woollen jumper, Fearne Cotton rocking a reindeer knit, Matt Damon wearing a jumper complete with 3D santa heads, and Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield presenting This Morning in their winter woollies.

Bobble Day is easy to get involved in and you really will be helping to prevent needless suffering for older people in winter.

The money raised will go towards Age Cymru’s Spread the Warmth campaign which helps the charity and its local and national partners to provide information, advice and practical services to help people in later life during the colder months.

People will be able to buy bobbles from their local Age Cymru shop or Wilkinson store for a suggested donation of £1.

ENDS

Contact
For all media enquiries, please contact Iwan Rhys Roberts, Communications Officer – Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562, 07739 894 923, iwan.roberts@agecymru.org.uk

*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2059 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 19 and 21 December 2011.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

**According to figures released by Amazon – referenced in article in the Mirror 19.12.2011:

 
http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/christmas/2011/12/19/the-big-christmas-jumper-comeback-115875-23645707/