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Nifty knitters make hundreds of hats to help fight loneliness

Published on 28 January 2019 03:41 PM

Knitter Wendy Long with the hats she made

Nifty knitter Wendy Long wowed staff at Age UK BANES’ Bath office when she brought in more than 230 little hats that she and her sister Carol had knitted for the charity’s Big Knit campaign.

Every year Age UK B&NES ask people to make tiny woollen hats which are put on top of Innocent Smoothie bottles. For every bottle sold in B&NES the charity receives 25p which is used to help end loneliness in older people in our community. The charity has been given a target of 6,000 hats to donate and is calling on everyone to get knitting and help out.

“The hats don’t take long to knit at all – only about 30 minutes each,” said Ms Long. “I’m happy to help. My mum taught me to knit when I was really small. Now I’ve finished work, I have more time, so I just knit for charity.”

Janet Dabbs, Age UK B&NES CEO says: “We’re so grateful to Wendy for producing so many hats with so many amazing designs. We are now asking everyone in B&NES to help us knit as many miniature hats as possible to help us hit our target. It’s such a fun campaign to get behind and it does so much to help older people in our area.”

“Money raised from the hats will go towards our Day Centres, befriending service and clubs and classes. They give older people the chance to come along and make friends, learn new skills and, most importantly, have fun.”

So whether you are a knitting ninja, purling pro, crochet connoisseur or a complete beginner but wants to have a go, there are lots of different patterns to whet you woolly appetite. From basic pom-pom hats, to dinosaurs, pineapples and even unicorns, you can find the patterns here

Completed hats can be posted to 18 Kingsmead Square, Bath, BA1 2AE or delivered in person Monday-Friday 9.30am-3.30pm.