Knitting up a storm to help out baby unit

Some 20 woollen baby blankets knitted by Arun District Council staff have been handed over to St Richard’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, along with a cheque for nearly £70.

The knitters have been hard at work handcrafting the blankets and raising money for the unit after it was chosen as the cause to support for the council’s dress-down day.

Arun’s revenues assistant Clare Thomson suggested 
supporting the unit as her sister is a staff nurse there.

Clare said: “Many of the blankets the unit use have lost their softness due to the high temperature at which they are washed.

“The beautiful blankets that have been knitted will be welcomed by staff and families alike.

“I think a few of them may even end up going home with the babies when they are discharged.”

The dress-down day was organised by Arun’s Ignite staff group.

It usually takes place on the last Friday of every month and is a chance 
for staff to come to work dressed in casual clothing in return for a donation to a good cause.

The council’s staff will not be putting down their knitting needles anytime soon and are set to continue crafting blankets.

They plan on donating their next creations to Worthing Hospital’s neonatal unit.