For the past seven years, the Knit-a-Bit group in Penwortham has been busily creating items of warmth and comfort for those in need. Their projects have included sending knitted baby clothes, shawls, and blankets to communities in Uganda, as well as providing a midwife in Laos with baby blankets, hats, cardigans, bootees, and maternity bags.

Recently, the group was approached by a request closer to home: the Mini Vinnies at St Teresa’s Primary School, Penwortham, wanted to give their school bench a cheerful new look. The knitting group, together with parents, grandparents, and some Year 6 pupils, decided on a collaborative project, producing 15cm x 15cm squares.

Over several months, more than 160 squares were created and stitched into panels, enough to cover the school bench and make two smaller blankets for other areas of the school.

Mrs Smalldon, who leads the Mini Vinnies, took several children to visit the Knit-a-Bit group one Monday morning. During their visit, the children stitched knitted pouches to take home and were presented with the blankets they had helped to create. The pupils were delighted to see the finished work, with the large blanket now brightening the school bench for all to enjoy.

Through this joint effort, the Knit-a-Bit group and St Teresa’s pupils have shown how creativity, community spirit, and a few balls of yarn can bring warmth and joy both locally and across the world.