KNITTING novices and seasoned sewers alike are being urged to get busy with their needles to support the Donate £1 for Dementia campaign.

The Royal Bolton Hospital is asking people to make ‘twiddle muffs’ – items which are calming for dementia patients because they keep their hands busy.

Twiddle muffs, which are a traditional muff shape, can be knitted, crotched or sewn and include ribbons, zips, buttons inside and out which can be ‘twiddled’.

Andy Lee, charitable fundraiser for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is an idea that has proved very successful elsewhere so we thought it would be great for Bolton patients.

“We started by asking our staff to join in and the response has been fantastic. We’ve had muffs from them and also from their families and friends.

“We have had a lovely crotched muff from one lady who is 90, and others from craft groups.

“They have included twiddle items from beads to keys. People have been very creative and generous.”

The hospital’s call for twiddle muffs is running alongside our Donate £1 for Dementia appeal to raise £200,000 to create dementia friendly wards at the Royal Bolton.

To find a knitting pattern for twiddle muffs, go to boltonft.nhs.uk and click on the ‘get involved’ tab.

To donate to the Donate £1 for Dementia campaign, text DOFD15 £1 to 70070, call into the hospital’s main reception or the Bolton News reception or send a cheque, payable to Bolton NHS Charitable Fund, to the Finance Department, Dowling House, Royal Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Bolton, BL4 0JR.

Send completed twiddle muffs to Andy Lee, Trust HQ, Royal Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Bolton, BL4 0JR or drop them in at reception in the hospital’s main entrance.