PUPILS at Okehampton Primary School are encouraging people of all ages to join them in knitting tiny hats for this year’s Innocent Big Knit.

The children will be knitting hats at their school ‘knit and natter’ club to raise funds for Age UK Devon to combat loneliness among older people.

They are inviting people in the community to get out their knitting needles and join them in their efforts.

The Big Knit started in 2003 when drinks company Innocent asked people to knit little woolly hats to go on the top of their smoothies. With each drink sold, Innocent makes a donation of 25p to Age UK. 

The idea has snowballed and so far people in the UK have knitted or crocheted an astonishing six million hats, raising over £2 million for Age UK.

Sophie Littlewood, Chief Executive of Age UK Devon, said: ‘The funds raised by the Big Knit help us to support older people to stay warm and well in winter, across the county. We are delighted to have the support of Okehampton Primary School and are looking forward to seeing their woolly creations!’

The completed hats can be brought into school and popped in a special box in the school’s reception.

Picture by James Bird