Dig out your knitting needles for the Big Knit

It’s the return of the Big Knit campaign and Age UK Brighton and Hove is calling on local people to join in and get knitting!

Whether a knitting ninja, purling pro, crochet connoisseur or just keen to have a go it’s time to get wild about wool and join the Big Knit. Now in its 15^th year, the campaign is recruiting knitters to help create an impressive 1.6 million hats to adorn innocent smoothie bottles. For each be-hatted smoothie sold*, Age UK receives 25p, and that money helps the charity support older people who are facing later life alone.

Rachel Cashman, Chief Executive of Age UK Brighton & Hove said: “We need the people of Brighton & Hove to join us and knit as many miniature hats as possible this winter to help us hit our 3,000 target by next July. It’s a fantastic campaign to get behind and it does so much to help older people in our area.

“The money raised will make a big difference to the lives of older people by funding our vital  services. These include our Information and Advice service which handles queries on everything from benefits that help people stay warm in winter, to care homes or scams. We also run a number of social groups to tackle loneliness, giving local older people the chance to make friends, learn new skills and have fun.”

Last year alone, more than one million hats were lovingly created, with designs including the hugely popular unicorn, grizzly bear, fluffy sheep and desert island.

Bara Amouyal, innocent drinks, said: “The Big Knit has had such an incredible amount of support over the past 15 years and we are hugely grateful – we love seeing what miniature creations the nation can come up with! Through the Big Knit campaign, we want to do everything we can to make a difference to the lives of older people.”

This year’s hat knitting pattern is available to download, to find out more visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/bigknit or pop into our centre on Prestonville Road to pick up a leaflet.

For more information on The Big Knit contact Age UK Brighton & Hove on  01273 720 603. Please send completed hats to Age UK Brighton & Hove  at 29-31 Prestonville Road, Brighton. BN1 3TJ.

Age UK Brighton & Hove is dedicated to helping people in our city make the most of later life. Providing information, advice and services, it is the point of contact for older people who need help or support.  To find out more about our services call 01273 720 603 or email info@ageuk-bh.org.uk