RESIDENTS and staff at a South Essex retirement community, for people aged 55 and over have been knitting and crocheting for a special cause, creating handmade blankets, hats and toys for babies and young families in Grays and Southend.

Members of the Knit and Chat Club at Sanctuary Supported Living's Poplar House in Basildon spent months creating the gifts, but one blanket has a particularly special story behind it.

An unfinished blanket was discovered among items donated by the family of a former resident Christina, who had sadly passed away earlier this year. Christina had started making the blanket on a knitting machine but sadly never had the chance to finish it.

Fellow Poplar House resident, Wendy, decided to complete what Christina had started by finishing the blanket by hand, to honour her friend's memory. Wendy said: "I've only done what anyone else would do. Christina would have been delighted to see her blanket finished and bringing comfort to others".

The finished blanket joined a collection of handmade toys and blankets, created by other members of Poplar House's Knit and Chat Club.

After months of dedication and work, the residents handed over the collection to supported housing services in Grays and Southend, where items will be given to young parents and their babies.

Kiera Harrison, Local Service Manager at Ruth House, said "The thoughtful gifts will mean so much to the families we support. The time, care, and love that have gone into each blanket will provide comfort and warmth to our babies and will be treasured by our parents."