Cast of West End musical support the Big Knit

Cast members of hit West End musical, Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, have been getting their knitting needles out to support Age UK and innocent's Big Knit.

Backstage at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, members of the company have been as busy as the oompa-loompas working on a range of little knitted hats for the Big Knit.

Cast members Louis Suc (Charlie Bucket), Alex Clatworthy (Mrs Bucket), Kate Graham (Cherry Sundae), Clare Halse (Oompa-Loompa), Sherrie Pennington (Oompa-Loompa) and Michelle Bishop (Mrs Pratchett), took part to support the Big Knit.

This year, the Big Knit is celebrating its tenth anniversary and will raise vital funds for the Charity's Spread the Warmth campaign, helping to keep older people warm and well in the winter.

For a decade, budding milliners up and down the country have been supporting Age UK and innocent's Big Knit by knitting funky little hats and for each be-hatted smoothie sold, innocent will give 25p to Age UK.

Too many older people suffer needlessly in winter

Laurie Boult, Head of Fundraising at Age UK said: ‘We're so grateful to the cast of this spectacular new musical for getting behind the Big Knit to help raise funds for older people this winter.

‘It's not too late to get involved: you can buy a be-hatted smoothie from 6th November to help raise vital funds so we can spread some warmth to older people this winter or design your own virtual hat which you can share with friends online.'

Too many older people suffer needlessly in winter because of the effects of cold weather, so Age UK runs its annual Spread the Warmth campaign.

The Charity and its local and national partners aim to help older people keep warm and well this winter by providing information, advice and practical services.

For more information on the Big Knit go to www.ageuk.org.uk/bigknit. You can also create your own little virtual hat using the ‘Big Knitter' at www.thebigknit.co.uk/big-knitter.

For every little hat shared on Facebook or Twitter, Age UK will receive 10p from innocent.