Age UK Horsham District is teaming up with Innocent Smoothies to help prevent cold and harm to elderly people in the area. The scheme, now in its 12th year produced 800,000 hats last year, with proceeds helping to keep older people warm and safe during the winter. Horsham’s target is 4,000, with each hat sold from an Innocent Smoothie bottle raising 25p for Age UK. One avid knitter, Stella Bernardi has already made 600, and aims to have 1,000 hats done by the deadline of November 25th. Age UK’s statistics suggest that every year an elderly person dies every eight minutes from winter cold. The Big Knit is an attempt to provide funding and care to those vulnerable and at risk of struggling this winter. Janice Leeming, Age UK Horsham’s CEO, said: “The colder months of the year can be really tough for many older people who can face difficulties protecting themselves from the harsh winter weather, getting out and about and staying connected. That’s why it’s so important that local knitters get behind The Big Knit to help raise funds for vital local winter services.” A spokesperson for Innocent Drinks added: “Every year The Big Knit campaign relies on the support of thousands of volunteers up and down the country who knit little woolly hats for us to pop on our smoothie bottles. We hope that lots of people are inspired to get knitting this year to help us continue to raise money for Age UK and help those who need it most this winter.” Designs have included bird cages, fruit, soldiers, and crowns in the past. Incredibly a bee’s nest and a fisherman with their catch have also been submitted. For more information about The Big Knit, contact Age UK Horsham district on 01403 751329 or log in to www.ageuk.org.uk/ horshamdistrict Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on. 1 Make our website your homepage at www.wscountytimes.co.uk 2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wscountytimes 3 Follow us on Twitter @wscountytimes 4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out! The County Times – always the first with your local news. Be part of it.