MUIR RESIDENT HELPS PREMATURE BABIES ON HOSPITAL WARD AS SHE KNITS HER WAY THROUGH LOCKDOWN
KNITTING for prematurely-born babies is how one Muir resident loved lockdown life and avoided getting the needle during isolation.
Renee Lingard has been knitting little jackets and hats at the double-stich to ensure premature babies at Chester’s Countess hospital enjoy that extra little bit of comfort as part of their round-the-clock care.
The Tweedsmuir resident has been isolating with her husband at the Muir Independent Living scheme while COVID-19 blows over.
But she’s been busier than ever after admitting she stepped up her knitting to keep her out of trouble and a desire to do something for the little ones at the hospital’s neonatal ward.
“I enjoy knitting and my daughter used to be a midwife before she retired,” said Renee who picked up her first pair of knitting needles aged 13.
“I contacted the Countess of Chester Hospital and asked if I could knit some things for the premature babies on the neonatal ward.
“I’ve been doing it while I watched TV and it’s kept me busy during lockdown.”
Renee knitted more than 40 items of various colours and patterns for the babies.
“I don’t know how many buttons I bought but there were quite a lot,” she said.
Having arranged delivery of the cosy items to the hospital, Renee is also enjoying being able to see some of her fellow Tweedsmuir residents again, having enjoyed a socially distanced coffee morning in the colourful grounds of the scheme as restrictions are slowly eased.
“We had to shout a bit because we had to sit far apart but it was great to have a bit of a natter and it was a nice change,” Renee said.
“We’re lucky to have such a nice garden at Tweedsmuir and hopefully we can look forward to a few more activities in the weeks to come.”