The Big Knit - thank you everyone!

The Big Knit 2025 – Thank you everyone, you have made a big difference!

Age UK Surrey would like to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to the Big Knit campaign 2025!  

This year Age UK Surrey has collected 13,172 little hats, raising a total of £3,951.60 for older people in Surrey. 

These hats will now appear on innocent smoothie bottles on supermarket shelves from October, so look out for the little hats that make a big difference!  The Big Knit is Age UK's partnership with innocent drinks and has raised an incredible £3.2 million since it began in 2003.

We are so very grateful to everyone in the community for using their creative skills to raise funds for Age UK Surrey.

Together, knitting and crochet groups, expert crafters and newcomers to the skill created hats ranging from the simple bobble hat to more intricate character, animal, and fruit hats.  From Winnie-the-Pooh, The Simpsons, Mr Men and minions, swans, penguins and teddy bears, we were amazed by all the artistic and inspired creations!  A special thank you to the Staines Knit and Natter group, who contributed over 2,000 hats ranging from dolphins, pandas, and butterflies to ninja turtles and clowns and Easter bonnets and cupcakes!

Why the Big Knit matters

Aging does not come with a manual, and thousands of older people have no-one to turn to for support, advice or friendship. 

Over 130,000 people aged 65+ live alone in Surrey.  Over 18,000 people live with dementia in Surrey and there are many more people living with undiagnosed dementia.  Over 14,500 people live on pension credit, and the majority of these pensioners (89%) are single.

We are dedicated to helping older people live well and make the most of later life and we do this through expert one to one support and group activities that bring people together and create a strong sense of community. 

As a local independent charity, we need to raise all our funds to continue to deliver our local services.  The funds raised through the Big Knit Campaign help to support our vital work and that is why your efforts mean so much!

Can I keep knitting?

Yes! The Big Knit will continue so please keep knitting those hats and help us to support Surrey’s older generations to live well and make the most of later life. 

Thank you so much to all of our creative supporters!!!

The Big Knit continues

For information on the next campaign, please email: fundraising@ageuksurrey.org.uk

Please send your hats to:
Age UK Surrey, The Clockhouse Community Centre, Chapel Lane, Milford, Surrey,  GU8 5EZ

Or drop off at any of our Vintage store locations in:

• Haslemere: 9-11 Junction Place, Haslemere, GU27 1LE
• Lingfield: 23 High Street, Lingfield, RH7 6AA
• Esher: 30 - 32 High Street, Esher, KT10 9RT