Age UK Bobble Day knitted hats with Grannies Inc.

Limited edition hat for Age UK's Bobble Day knitted to order by a granny near you!

Knitwear label Grannies Inc. has designed a limited edition hat to raise money for Age UK's Bobble Day (Friday 10 February) - the annual fundraising event which urges Brits to dig out their brightest winter woollies and dress them with fluffy Age UK bobbles to raise funds to help keep older people warm and well in winter.

Lovingly crafted by grannies in the UK, the official Bobble Day hat in vibrant orange, yellow and pink, with an oversized bobble (or pom pom) on top, is made from 100% British-spun merino wool yarn. Already spotted cosying up to celebrities during the recent cold snap, the Bobble Day hat from Grannies, Inc. has been seen on model and Dirty Sexy Things actress Charlotte De Carle, model and Made in Chelsea star Funda Onal and model Julian Okines, all of whom are passionate about Age UK's work (pictures available from the Age UK Media Office). The limited edition hat is available exclusively from www.granniesinc.co.uk, costing £35, with £8 going directly to Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign.

Bobble Day aims to highlight the plight of people in later life during the colder months, as over 200 older people die needlessly every day in winter because of the effects of cold weather. Age UK's Bobble Day is part of the Charity's annual Spread the Warmth campaign, which aims to make winter warmer for 360,000 older people by providing information, advice and practical services. These include getting warm and nutritious meals to older people, helping to keep homes warm and giving free information and advice 365 days a year.

Paul Farthing, Fundraising Director at Age UK, said: 'Something as simple as buying a fluffy bobble from one of Age UK's 450+ high street shops for a suggested donation of £1, or buying the official Bobble Day hat from Grannies, Inc, will make a real difference to older people in winter. So go on, help Spread the Warmth.'

There are lots of ways to help Age UK Spread the Warmth this winter. People can make a donation simply by calling 0800 169 87 87 or visiting www.ageuk.org.uk/bobbleday. Alternatively, they can show their support for Bobble Day by turning their Facebook profile picture all woolly with the new Knit Me app at http://on.fb.me/knitmeapp.

-ENDS-

Ref: SMSKPFLBMHMM

For further information, please call Katie Rispin at Age UK on 020 3033 1427 or email katie.rispin@ageuk.org.uk

Notes to Editors: 

Spread the Warmth

Too many older people are suffering and dying needlessly in winter because of the effects of cold weather, so Age UK has launched its annual Spread the Warmth campaign. The Charity and its local and national partners are aiming to make winter warmer for 360,000 older people by providing information, advice and practical services to help keep warm and well in the colder winter months, preventing many thousands from being left isolated and alone. These include getting warm and nutritious meals to older people, helping to keep homes warm, and giving free information and advice 365 days a year.

Older people and their families can call Age UK Advice for free on 0800 169 65 65, where they can also order a free copy of ‘Winter Wrapped Up', a guide funded by E.ON. Alternatively they can visit www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk to download the guide, get more information about Spread the Warmth and find out where their local Age UK office or shop is. There are lots of ways to help Age UK Spread the Warmth this winter. People can make a donation simply by calling 0800 169 87 87 or visiting www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk.

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).