BLISSFUL Christmas gift to parents
More than 1,000 new parents across the south of England had their spirits boosted over Christmas thanks to a Haslemere resident and children’s charity BLISS.
The charity for babies born premature or sick, along with hundreds of its volunteer knitters, provided a donation of Christmas gifts to 46 newborn intensive care units (NICUS) across the south, including St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.
Parents found a stocking and a toy on their children’s incubators or cots on Christmas day.
Dianne Bennett, who set up Haslemere’s BLISS branch 38 years ago, explained that the presents have really helped maintain struggling parents’ moods through the testing time.
She said: “These little gifts bring joy, and letters of thanks show that they become treasured keepsakes.”
Dianne set up the branch after three of her children
were born premature. She went on to become a trustee of the charity and served on the board for 25 years.
She started BLISS Knitters 34 years ago when she wrote letters to local papers appealing for people to make little cardigans for the Royal Surrey Baby Unit.
Her letter was published
in several editions and by the end of the first week there were over 40 volunteers – which has grown to 475 from Alton to Petworth, Guildford to Petersfield.
She explained there was a large influx of knitted goods over the lockdown as she and others found having a worthwhile project like
creating goods for BLISS really helped deal with the strenuous circumstances.
The children’s charity said: “BLISS is very grateful for the hard work of this army of knitters and new recruits are always welcome.”
There are collection points in Haslemere, Farnham, Godalming and
Cranleigh to collect people’s knits, which are delivered to some hospitals by a team of five drivers, and posted to others.
The charity said it would welcome any volunteers as the knits are washed frequently and do not last long, so the need is always ongoing.
Dianne was presented with a lifetime support award by the charity in 2016 and, as well as running BLISS Knitters, she raised more than £2,000 for charity last year.
To volunteer, email Dianne on db.haslemere@ btinternet.com or call 01428 642320.