In a charming twist on international aid, a group of grandmothers from a UK care home are helping save penguins—one stitch at a time. The “Knitting Nannas” of Hazelgrove Court in Teesside have been crafting tiny wool jumpers for penguins affected by oil spills in Australia.
The jumpers act as protective vests, keeping the penguins from ingesting harmful oil while they await cleaning by rescue workers. Joyce Baxtrem, 94, said she’d never imagined knitting for penguins, but she’s proud to be part of the effort. With around 40,000 penguins living off Phillip Island, preparations for oil spill response are essential—and these handmade garments are part of the plan.
The project also brings joy and purpose to the knitters. “It’s wonderful to see animals wearing something our residents made with care,” said activities coordinator Sharon Lewis. The Penguin Foundation expressed heartfelt thanks, noting that global volunteers like these Nannas are vital to their mission. This isn’t the group’s first global impact: they previously knitted blankets for baby rhinos in South Africa. Now, their cozy creations are wrapping around penguins, proving it’s never too late to make a difference.