Hat’ll do nicely!

OVER the past 10 years, members of the public have knitted an astonishing 490,000 little hats and raised €170,000 for an initiative to help older people stay warm during winter’s harshest weather.

Last week innocent Ireland completed the hat count with Age Action as part of their annual Big Knit campaign.

Each year, little hats knitted by volunteers are put on innocent smoothie bottles in shops and cafés and for each bottle sold, a 30 cent donation is made to Age Action.

The hats will be appearing on shelves in November.

This year €30,000 will be donated, which will help fund free DIY jobs for older people over the winter months through Age Action’s Care & Repair programme.

Laura O’Connell, Brand and Communities Specialist for innocent Ireland, said: “The Big Knit is something we are really proud of here at innocent. Our knitters come in for tea regularly to show off their latest hat designs and let us know how the campaign helps them.

“This year, we put a big push on recruiting younger knitters. And we’re so grateful to all of our brand new Big Knitters, keep up the good knit.”

Age Action’s Caroline O’Connell said: “We’re really grateful to innocent for their donation of €30,000 and their continued support over the last 10 years through the Big Knit. 

“To the hundreds of people, young and old, across Ireland who made The Big Knit so special this year, thank you for taking part and for supporting the Care & Repair Programme. 

“This is a huge achievement of which you should feel very proud.”

Ms O’Connell added that the Care & Repair service is particularly important during winter when older people need the kind of minor repairs that ensure they can keep safe and warm in their home.

Last year’s donation of €20,000 funded 24,000 DIY jobs in 34 locations around the country, through Age Action’s Care & Repair programme.

Veronica, a Care & Repair client, said: “An Age Action volunteer came and fixed my bathroom seat and installed two free carbon monoxide alarms. It’s fantastic to have this support. I really don’t know what I would do without them.”

Older persons can contact the Care & Repair service at Age Action at 01-4756989.