Warm Hats and Wraps for Ukrainian Babies

One of Rotary's many International projects focused on support for Ukraine

Ukrainian Baby wearing his Rotary knitted hat for warmth

Two months ago Newbury Rotarians packed 8000 knitted baby hats and some knit wear for the babies of Ukraine.

These items were donated by knitters and well-wishers from across the country in response to an appeal from Newbury Rotarian John Philip.

Retired Surgeon John has been involved in a number projects to help the doctors in Ukraine. John says: ‘Of all the heart-breaking stories I heard from colleagues in Ukraine, the worst was about the plight of mums and new-born babies. The war conditions are causing an increase in the number of low-birth-weight premature babies. Their lives are in peril. One way to help them survive is to encourage skin-skin-contact. This is an evidence based WHO supported project to help vulnerable babies to thrive the early few weeks of their lives.’

With the help of Rotarians from all over the UK, John has supplied over 3000 specially designed wraps to hospitals in Ukraine. These wraps were made in Moldova and transported to Ukraine.

The hats sent out to Ukraine supplemented the wraps. The wraps and hats help babies preserve their body temperature. Babies loose heat through their head which could contribute to their body temperature falling and thus endangering their lives.

The hats were delivered to a number of hospitals by volunteers last week. John says ‘the wraps and the hats together act as a protective shield for small vulnerable infants. From the responses we have had I’ve no doubt that they would assist in protecting many small infants in Ukraine.’

The project was also written up locally here: Newbury doctor donates thousands of knitted hats to Ukraine | Reading Chronicle

If you are interested in helping to support Ukraine, or would like to know more about what we do, then please do not hesitate to contact John via the form below.

Further photos can be seen below.

Contact John Philip about this page:

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