3,000 comfort blankets and counting – thanks to charity knitter | News

Staff from Epsom Hospital threw a surprise ‘thank you’ party for a woman who, despite being diagnosed with a terminal illness, has knitted 3,000 blankets for premature babies cared for in the Neonatal Unit.

Mary Kasey, from Ewell, has been busy knitting for sick children in the unit after she gave up smoking in 2007, when she underwent her first operation to treat cancer. Her husband Ray wanted to mark the 3,000 milestone and so got in touch with Gerry Cotter, the Senior Sister on the unit, to organise a surprise thank you presentation.

Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles went along to the special event to say a personal thank you to Ray and Mary. He said: “People do some amazing things for our hospitals, and I would like to thank Mary and Ray (who hand delivers the blankets to us) for their generosity and kindness. 

“Having a baby who needs care in a Neonatal Unit is a very testing time for any parent, so it’s important that we do everything we can for these families. From round-the-clock expert care to the smaller touches, such as making sure every baby gets their very own hand-made blanket, it all makes a difference. We know that lots of parents take Mary’s baby blankets home with them to keep as a momentum, which is very touching.

“I would also like to thank Gerry and Vira in the Neonatal Unit for organising flowers, wine and a mini tea party for Mary – who was genuinely touched by the thank you she received.”

Mary said: “It’s very thoughtful of the staff to host this event for me, but they really shouldn’t have! I’m pleased to be able to help and am supported by people who donate wool to me and who knit the occasional blanket to help out. That said, I would like to thank the team for thinking of me.”

If you would like to find out more about supporting Epsom and St Helier hospitals, including our dedicated charities and volunteering opportunities, visit www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/volunteer.