Festive knits gifted to neonatal unit in time for Christmas

Sidmouth Herald: Sidford Women's Institute members knitted blankets for the Neonatal Baby Unit at Exeter's RD&ESidford Women's Institute members knitted blankets for the Neonatal Baby Unit at Exeter's RD&E (Image: Archant)

Talented members of Sidford Women’s Institute (WI) knitted miniature blankets to give as a lasting keepsake for premature babies this Christmas.

The festive green and red woollies were gifted to the Neonatal Baby Unit at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital at a coffee morning on Tuesday, December 20.

The blankets were lovingly made by members of the ‘knit and natter’ group, led by Jean Bridgeman. Tracey Cann, a nursery nurse who has worked at the neonatal unit for 28 years, said: “We will give one to each baby as a present – each will have a gift tag saying ‘With love from Sidford WI’. It’s a present they can keep for ever. Thank you all so much. It means so much more than you realise.”

Branch president Lesley Ansell said her own daughter had been born premature and added a special thanks to the work of the neonatal unit.