Lottery winner spends her days knitting clothes for premature babies

A woman who won the lottery now knits for premature babies at Alder Hey Hospital.

Susan Crossland, who won £1.2 million on the National Lottery in 2008, spends her time knitting for premature babies on the neonatal unit at the children’s hospital, in Liverpool.

Ms Crossland, who had two prematures sons Jamie and Josh, understands first-hand how difficult it can be during the first few weeks of an early newborn’s life.

The 58-year-old was taught to knit by her grandmother and said since winning the lottery it has given her the time to enjoy her pastime — where she can spend up to 10 hours a day knitting.

She set to work creating a range of outfits and clothing items to keep the babies warm including, cardigans, bonnets, bootees and mittens. She also knits wool octopuses for a special reason. Speaking to the BBC, Ms Crossland said: “The legs are like the umbilical cord. 

“So, they put them [the octopuses] in the cot and they [premature babies] cling to the little legs and they think they’re still not born so it brings them on quite a lot.”

Jennifer Deeney, Head of Neonatal Nursing at Alder Hey, said: “Knitting on a neonatal unit is something that is really important to our families, especially babies that are born prematurely.

“It’s really hard to get anything that they can wear or that fits them.”

Handing over the bundle of knitted baby items to staff at the hospital, Ms Crossland said: “Alder Hey does incredible work.

“Ever since winning the lottery I have always tried to dedicate as much time as possible to supporting charity.

“There are obviously so many good causes to help and I try to do as much as I possibly can.

“Having had two premature babies myself, the neonatal baby unit is something which is very close to my heart.

“I love knitting and I know how difficult it can be during the first few weeks and months of a premature baby’s life to find suitable clothes and lovely outfits.

“I have tried to be as creative as possible and it has been wonderful to visit Alder Hey today and hand over the outfits.”