Whitefield Knitting Group receives Royal approval

Knitters at Whitefield Library have received royal approval after sending an unusual gift to Prince William and his wife Kate following the birth of their son.

The group meets every Tuesday (10-11am) and members have been knitting breasts for health visitors to use when promoting breastfeeding to new mums.

This programme became the first of its kind in the country to be given UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation in 2011. The Baby Friendly Initiative was set up in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure a high standard of care for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and babies.

When the royal baby George was born last month, the Whitefield knitters sent one to his parents and have now received a ‘thank you’ card and a photo of the new family from Buckingham Palace.

Mrs Farkhanda Ali, who volunteers and helps co-ordinate the knitting group, said: “We decided to send a gift to the royal couple and wanted something that would be unusual, so we sent them a knitted breast with the time and date of baby Prince George’s birth embroidered on it. We wanted to raise awareness and to promote breast feeding. We are delighted to receive a lovely reply from Buckingham Palace.”

Knitting groups also run at the following libraries:

• Bury – Mondays (1-3pm)
• Radcliffe - Thursdays (2-3pm)

• Brandlesholme – Thursdays (1.30-3.30pm)
• Coronation Road - Tuesdays (10am-noon)
• Dumers Lane – Wednesday (10am-noon)
• Moorside – Tuesdays (2-4pm)
• Topping Fold – Wednesdays (5-7pm)
• Unsworth – Fridays (2-4 pm)

ENDS

Press release issued: 10 September 2013.

Picture attached: The ‘thank you’ card from the royal couple to Whitefield Knitting Group.