Ann Lee, 91, and Ann Fox, 84, aim to create 300 garments and are hoping to find other keen knitters to help them. The cardigans are distributed by Variety The Children’s Charity via the local branch Variety Wessex.

The two Anns, who live at a retirement home in Branksome Park, have also knitted dolls in the past and last year made blankets for families in Ukraine.

Ann Lee, who used to run a jewellery business in Bournemouth with her husband Monty, said: “I enjoy knitting and like to keep busy. Knitting the cardigans is a productive use of my time, particularly during long winter evenings.”

Former teaching assistant Ann Fox says they are both thrilled to be helping children in the Bournemouth area at a time when families’ finances are so strapped.

For more information about the knitting project please contact Frances Cornelius, chairperson of Variety Wessex at francesaaa@aol.com