NEWS of the Haslington Ray of Hope Knitting Campaign has already spread across Cheshire and into the Potteries. Now it looks set to reach Sweden!

Joanne Rogers is in Britain with her Swedish partner, Lennart Stjernlof and 15-month-old daughtyer Ella, visiting her mother Anita Brownrigg who lives in Crewe Green Avenue, Haslington.

Mrs Brownrigg's next door neighbour is Leila Ollier who is a Ray of Hope member.

"It was through Leila that I learned about the ventilator bonnets which are being made for Leighton Hospital's neo natal ward," said Joanne.

"I was planing to donate some cardigans to the Akademistka Hospital, possible the largest teaching hospital in Uppsala, Sweden, where I received fantastic care for three weeks after Ella's cesarian birth. Then I heard about the bonnets and thought they would be a better idea.

Leila and Ray of Hope co-ordinator Chris Cooper went with Joanne and family to Leighton last week, where they met sister Ann Bearpark.

Joanne was given some bonnets, a letter to the Akademistka explaining how the bonnets allowed the babies to be scanned without ventilation tubes being disturbed, and a knitting pattern.

If the hospital takes up the idea the pattern could be translated for Swedish knitters.

Joanne is eager to see their reaction and promises to keep GUARDIAN readers in touch with events

If you want to know more about the Ray of Hope Knitters you can telephone Chris on 582187 or Doris on 585564.

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