How a lockdown hobby helped new-borns in Madagascar

A staff crochet club’s lockdown hobby has helped provide comfort for premature babies in Madagascar.

The Knit and Natter social group at Loughborough College decided it wanted to create and donate crocheted hats and cuddle blankets for premature children on the Indian Ocean island where a friend was volunteering at the height of the pandemic.

The group is made up of a quartet of staff – Valerie Armstrong, Lisa Fortesque-Poole, Donna Quansah, and Therese Zamirska - who meet every Monday and have helped each other during lockdown with virtual get-togethers and knitting projects.

Group founder Valerie said: “We’ve really kept each other going throughout the pandemic, supporting each other, which has really contributed to our wellbeing.

“I wanted to ensure that we worked on a project, something that would do some good, so I provided the yarn, hooks and patterns and off we went making premature baby hats and cuddle blankets.

“Therese had a friend volunteering in Madagascar. She was home for Christmas, and was travelling back so we made the decision to donate our bundle of goodies to her to take back, including a couple of Octopuses, hats and cuddle blankets.”

She added: “I am so proud of what the group has achieved. They have all gone on to make lots of lovely things and we’re looking to make some more hats and blankets to go out to Madagascar, the nurses were so grateful.”