Knitters across Bromley have until Friday, 12th December to send in their mini woolly hats for the Innocent Big Knit. The little knitted hats can be sent directly to Innocent (see details on http://www.thebigknit.co.uk/join-in) by this date or if preferred, to Community House, South Street, Bromley BR1 1RH by Friday, 31st October, so their ambitious target of 6,000 hats can be achieved.
Now in its eleventh year, the Innocent Big Knit has been helping older people across Bromley keep warm over the harsh winter evenings. Once sent off, each hat covers the lid of an Innocent smoothie bottle. For each bottle sold, 25p is donated to Age UK, which uses the much needed money to buy blankets, hot water bottles and hot meals for those who cannot afford to heat up their homes. In addition, a portion of the money goes towards organising social gatherings in the local community, as it is difficult for many older people to get out and about. As the number of Britons feeling lonely and isolated increases year after year, these meetings are now needed more than ever before.
Imogen Goddard, a keen and extremely talented knitter, shared her experiences of the scheme. ‘I've been knitting for about 4 years,’ she explained, ‘and loved making the hats for Age UK last year so I was keen to do it again this year.’ When asked about her favourite part about knitting the hats, she said, ‘I particularly like [making] them because they're small and take hardly any time at all, and there are so many adorable patterns to try out and experiment with! And it's for charity as well, so it’s worth every minute.’
Last year, Age UK Bromley and Greenwich raised an impressive £1,266.25 and this year, they are aiming even higher. Whether you have been knitting since you were little or want to learn now, Innocent’s useful website, http://www.thebigknit.co.uk/, has plenty of patterns for knitted hats. It is so easy to learn how to make one and there is even a handy video on the website to get you started. All you need is wool, 4mm knitting needles, a pair of scissors and a sewing needle. To make the pompom for the top, there are several videos online to make it yourself, so there is no need to bother buying one from a shop. Your hat will adorn an Innocent bottle on sale next ear: if you are very lucky, you might even see it on your weekly shop!
For more ways to help society’s most vulnerable with Age UK, have a look at their website, http://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/raise-money/. Any contributions will be hugely appreciated.
Raveena Rao, Bromley High School
