20 December 2019

Frimley Park Hospital’s maternity unit received a special Christmas present in the form of 1,200 hand-knitted hats for babies.

Members of Farnborough-based charity Rushmoor Healthy Living (RHL) made the garments over several months to help keep newborns warm as they head home for the first time this winter.

The knitters included members of the charity’s exercise and rehabilitation classes as well as its Nepali social and education projects.

Some of those involved visited Frimley Park to present the hats to the hospital’s midwifery team.

RHL project officer Rachael Austen-Jones said: “A massive thanks to all our members who have been knitting hats. It’s lovely to see how this project caught the imaginations of so many people, regardless of the language or age barriers.

“For many of us this was a chance to give something back to the fantastic hospital that has helped us and our relatives.”

Maternity matron Tanya Santacaterina said: “We are incredibly grateful to the members of RHL for these amazing hats and recognise all the hard work and dedication that went into making them.

“We know the parents of babies born here will appreciate them too.”

RHL runs more than 20 weekly exercise and rehabilitation classes, including sessions for older people and those with health conditions.