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Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Beith MPLiberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Berwick Upon TweedWorking for you and the Berwick upon Tweed Constituency all year roundin Northumberland and in Westminster |
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MP encourages people to get involved in Save the Children's "Knit One, Save One" campaign
June 6, 2008 11:45 AM
Alan Beith MP is asking everyone in the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency and the surrounding area to get their needles out and take part in save the Children's "Knit Once, Save One" campaign. Experienced knitters and novices alike are knitting hats for vulnerable newborn babies in countries around the world. Attached to the hats are messages asking the Prime Minister to make saving children's lives a priority.
Alan Beith MP said
"The large majority of child deaths are preventable and it's wonderful to know that a simple solution such as knitting a hat can help to save a life. I hope the fact that such a small action can have an impact will inspire people in the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency to take part in this campaign and knit a hat for Save the Children."
Pneumonia still kills a staggering 2 million children each year. Newborn babies are particularly vulnerable as they cannot control their body temperature. It takes just 2 minutes for a wet, newborn baby to lose a dangerous 2 degrees in body temperature. Most of this vital heat is lost through the soft spots on a baby's head so a woolly hat can mean the difference between life and death.
Alan Beith MP has signed a Parliamentary Motion calling on the Government to ensure that all children and their mothers get access to basic healthcare, adequate nutrition, clean water and safe sanitation.
As well as backing the campaign, Alan Beith MP will be collecting hats from knitters all around the local area and presenting them to a local Save the Children representative, as the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency's contribution to this nationwide campaign. Save the Children will send the hats to places where large numbers of newborn babies die each year such as Kenya, Tibet and Zimbabwe.
Tibet programme manager Tashi Tsering says:
"Parents do everything they can to protect their babies from the cold. But the most important thing - putting a hat on the baby's head - is neglected. That's like leaving a thermos flask filled with hot water but without a lid."
The pattern for the hats can be downloaded from http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/assets/pdfs/knit-kit.pdf
Alternatively you can call 0207 012 6400 or send an SAE to Knit Kit, Save the Children, 1 St John's Lane, London EC1M 4AR.
Completed hats can be handed in or sent to Alan Beith's Constituency Office at 54 Bondgate Within, Alnwick NE66 1JD.
"Knit one, Save One" is part of Save the Children's biggest ever global campaign which aims to get 10 million people to take action by 2010 for the 10 million children that die each year before reaching their fifth birthday.
Save the Children fight for children in the UK and around the world who suffer through poverty, disease, injustice and violence. Save the Children works with them to find lifelong answers to the problems that they face. Visit wwww.savethechildren.org.uk/knitting for more information about the "Knit One, Save One" campaign.
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