Knitters in Upminster have been supporting a care home and Age UK by knitting hundreds of tiny hats.

Romford Recorder: Claire, director of care at Home Instead Senior Care, Upminster knitter Jan and Lorraine with Jan's 300 hats she created for the Big Knit Campaign. Picture: Alf Ellis.Claire, director of care at Home Instead Senior Care, Upminster knitter Jan and Lorraine with Jan's 300 hats she created for the Big Knit Campaign. Picture: Alf Ellis. (Image: ©Alf Ellis)

Jan Ellis, 67, from Cranham, was one of those who took up Home Instead Senior Care in Brentwood’s call to knit as many hats as possible for The Big Knit campaign.

The knitted hats are taken to a local Age UK office and Sainsbury’s use them to sell on the Innocent smoothie bottles with 25p being donated to Age UK.

Jan told the Recorder: “I originally knitted 366 hats, but since then I’ve knitted nearly another 200.

“You can go on Pinterest and get patterns for them and knit whatever designs you like.

Romford Recorder: Upminster care giver Theresa Ruby with Lorraine, a recruiter and Claire, director of care at Home Instead Senior Care with hats they have been knitting for the Big Knit Campaign. Picture: Alf EllisUpminster care giver Theresa Ruby with Lorraine, a recruiter and Claire, director of care at Home Instead Senior Care with hats they have been knitting for the Big Knit Campaign. Picture: Alf Ellis (Image: ©Alf Ellis)

“I’ve knitted a Winnie the Pooh hat, Piglet, Eeyore, hedgehogs and a funky chicken hat.”

Jan visited a knitting group which meets regularly in Roomes cafe, Station Road, to hand over their colourful products.

The knitting group is supported by Kim, the manager of the cafe, and it is encouraging people in the borough to join the group and take part in activities with like minded people.

Care givers from Home Instead Senior Care also visited the cafe to donate their hats.

“The knitting isn’t the hard part,” said Jan.

“It takes about 20 - 25 minutes to create a hat, but it’s the finishing off that takes more time.

“For example, with the funky chicken hat, you’ve got to add hair and the legs.”

Despite all of the hard work Jan takes comfort in the fact that she is helping others.

“It’s all about doing something that will get Age UK’s name out there in the public,” she said.

The Big Knit supports knitters up and down the country and helps raise vital funds to support local and national winter projects that involve keeping elderly people warm through befriending visits, emergency and cold weather support, warm meals and other vital services.

The campaign is running continuously throughout 2018 - 19 and you can also send your hats directly to Age UK.

Home Instead Senior Care provides care to elderly people, they offer person-centred companionship focused care and specialise in supporting people living with dementia, providing a minimum of one hour calls.

For more information contact Home Instead Senior Care in Brentwood on 01708 242785.