Primary school knitting club keeps newborn babies warm on Neonatal Unit

A group of school children at Bewsey Lodge Primary School, on Lodge Lane, have been working hard to keep newborn babies on the Neonatal Unit at Warrington Hospital warm as part of their after-school activities. 

The knitting group, which is led by teacher Laura Wright, meet once a week to practice their skills and create one-of-a-kind pieces to keep the neonatal babies warm and comfortable when they are receiving treatment. 

The current knitting group is made up of 21 pupils from year four to six, who love to use lots of colours in their designs and patterns. When asked what they love most about the club, one pupil replied: “I just love knitting. I love to make blankets for the babies at the hospital.”

This year the avid knitters made 55 hats, cardigans and blankets for babies on the Neonatal Unit. 

The group have been donating their knitting to the hospital for more than 10 years, with support from volunteer Jean Hinchcliffe, who helps keep the after-school club running. Laura said: “I love to see the joy on the children’s faces when they learn this new skill and create new pieces. 

“The club wouldn’t be possible without our support from Jean, who shares her love for knitting with the children, and I am grateful that we are able to continue this tradition of donating to the hospital year on year.”

An annual tradition, the donation was gratefully received at the school’s last club meeting before the summer holidays by Julia Austin, the nursery nurse on the unit. She said: “It is always a delight to visit the school and receive the fabulous unique pieces of knitting from the children. 

“Each year I am so impressed by what the children create and I know how much they mean to the families that receive care on our unit. I can’t wait to see the families’ smiles when we share the pieces with them.”