SAVE THE CHILDREN
Save the Children is calling upon 10 million crafters and knitters to knit hats to help save newborn babies, reports Bryony Taylor.
The 'Knit One, Save One' campaign has been endorsed by TV celebrity Paul O'Grady, and aims to get fingers twitching across the country to help prevent babies losing vital body heat through their heads.
After a trip to South Africa, where he saw a number of children in need of help, O'Grady said he was moved to get involved with the campaign.
Paul O'Grady said: "I've never picked up knitting needles in my life, but Save the Children has challenged me to get learning. If something as simple as a knitted hat can help save a child's life, then we should all get knitting!
Primarily aimed at helping newborn babies, Save the Children is using the rise in popularity of knitting to help repeat the success of its 1980s knitted blanket campaign.
Programme manager Tashi Tsering said: "Parents do everything they can to protect their babies from cold. But the most important thing - putting a hat on the baby's head - is neglected. That's like leaving a thermos bottle filled with hot water but without a lid."
Save the Children estimate that it takes just 2 minutes for a wet, newborn baby to lose a dangerous 2°C in body temperature. This makes them more prone to pneumonia - a disease that still kills around 2 million children each year.
The charity is also asking all those knitting for the campaign to pin a short message about prioritising children's healthcare to Gordon Brown on their hats. They will then send the messages to Downing Street.
More information can be found in Save the Children's knit-kit and on their website: www.savethechildren.org.uk
Are you going to get invovled - tells how and why on the forum?