With one month to go until the deadline, Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland needs the knitting ninjas to get stitching and craft a further 34,000 hats by the end of June for the innocent Big Knit campaign.
A total of 70,000 hats are required and 40,000 have already been created but more are urgently needed to reach the target. Each little hat will be matched with an innocent smoothie bottle, which will go on sale from October 2025 in selected UK retailers. For every be-hatted smoothie sold, Age UK will receive 30p, helping to make a huge difference to the lives of older people.
Picture credit: Innocent Big Knit
The Big Knit campaign, which is delivered by innocent and Age UK, raises money to support older people most in need, with funds going towards Age UK Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland’s vital services such as free benefits advice and friendship services for lonely older people.
Tony Donovan, Executive Director of Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland said:“It’s thanks to fundraising initiatives like the Big Knit that we’re able to continue providing services that are fundamental to supporting older people in our local community. So now the hat deadline is nearly upon us, we’re putting out a final call to local woolly warriors to knit as many hats as possible.”
Charlotte Wright, Senior Brand Manager at innocent drinks, said: “A huge thank you to everyone who has knitted or crocheted a hat to date for this year’s Big Knit. We are so appreciative of your support & the impact this has in helping Age UK make a positive difference. Whether you are a knitting pro or a novice, it’s still not too late to get involved. We can’t wait to see your woolly masterpieces on our smoothies bottles later in the year.”
There are exciting hat designs, including a cheeky monkey, fox cub, sheepish sheep and a unicorn, available to download now.
To find out more visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/bigknit or www.thebigknit.co.uk/knittingpatterns
