A FORMER teacher who has been knitting since she was six is using her hobby to make a difference for bereaved families.

Edie Cubbage, 82, from Beaconsfield, has been making blankets, gowns and hats for baby charity, Cuddles.

Cuddles supports families dealing with the loss of their baby through miscarriage or stillbirth by donating the items volunteers knit for them.

Often when a baby passes away, families are given the opportunity to have a photo with the child to keep as a memory.

The baby is wrapped in the items and the family are allowed to keep the blankets and other items.

Edie, whose friend Thelma West (pictured) also knits for the charity, believes the work the volunteers do makes a real difference.

She said: “I knit all week long, I have always enjoyed it since my mum taught me when I was six-years-old.

“I never knew about the charity but someone explained it to me one day and I thought it was such an amazing thing to do, and I have been doing it ever since.

“The families are allowed to keep the items which are for the baby as a keepsake.

“I like to think it makes a difference for families, there never used to be such things years ago, it is such a good idea.”

Last year the charity donated more than 6000 items for the bereaved families.

As well as knitting at home, Edie also continues her hobby at the Age Concern Day Centre in Flackwell Heath where she goes twice a week.

As well as knitting recreationally she also taught sewing and knitting for children at Dropmore School, in Burnham, for about 20 years.

She said: “During the war me and my mum used to knit for the sailors to keep them warm.

“As a child I enjoyed it as there was no entertainment, we didn’t have a television back then and it was something I could do.

“I have done it ever since, as well as knitting for the charity I also used to send things for my three grandchildren.”

For more information about Cuddles please visit www.cuddles-uk.org