British 'Knitting Nannas' Raise Funds for Captive Elephants

A knitting circle at a British care home is proving you're never too old to change the world, one stitch at a time.

The "Knitting Nannas" of Hazelgrove Court Care Home in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, England, have spent years crafting handmade items for animals in crisis around the globe. All in their 70s, 80s, and 90s, these dedicated knitters have sent mini sweaters to penguins in Australia, blankets to an injured baby rhino in South Africa, and toys to rescued monkeys.

Their latest mission targets a heartbreaking practice in India. Wildlife SOS, a conservation organization across South Asia, works to rescue captive elephants forced to perform street tricks for money, known as begging elephants.

When the Knitting Nannas learned about these elephants, they immediately started knitting woolen elephant plushies to raise funds for the cause. "The knitted elephants have been flying out," said Sharon Lewis, the care home's activities coordinator. "They sell straight away, and the residents are already busy making more."

The impact goes beyond fundraising. In December 2024, the group made blankets for Hercules, a three-week-old rhino recovering from a hyena attack. "To see Hercules wearing one of our blankets brought a tear to my eye," said Joyce Wooffindin, one of the knitters.

They've also created rehabilitation sweaters for over 40,000 penguins on Australia's Phillip Island. These sweaters protect oil-covered penguins during the critical window before wildlife experts can properly clean their feathers. "I have knitted jumpers for both my children, but have never knit for a penguin," laughed Joyce Baxtrem, 94.

Wildlife SOS has achieved remarkable conservation milestones in recent years. The organization built India's first Humane Elephant Rescue Center, opened the country's first elephant hospital, and even created a custom elephant ambulance to save distressed elephants.

On Save the Elephant Day in April, the care home residents joined a video call with Wildlife SOS to learn about their rescue work firsthand. "Elephants are my favorite animal, and it is heartbreaking to think people will take them from the wild and make them beg," said 75-year-old Tina Parker.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story shine isn't just the adorable knitted animals or the global reach of their kindness. It's how these seniors have found renewed purpose and connection through their craft.

"The Knitting Nannas love knowing that something they have made with their own hands is helping animals on the other side of the world," Lewis said. The project has sparked conversations with families and visitors about wildlife and conservation, creating ripples far beyond the care home walls.

Linda Whiteley, Wildlife SOS's U.K. manager, captured it perfectly: "Knowing that they care so deeply about the once-captive elephants in our care highlights the global appreciation for these endangered keystone animals."

These remarkable women prove that age is no barrier to making a difference, and that sometimes the smallest acts of creativity can reach across oceans to save lives.