Stars get their woollies out for Age UK’s Bobble Day

Stars get their woollies out for Age UK's Bobble Day today

A host of celebrities are backing Age UK's Bobble Day today (Friday 10 February) - the annual fundraising event which urges Brits to dig out their brightest winter woollies and dress them with fluffy Age UK bobbles to raise funds to help keep older people warm and well in winter.

Famous faces taking part in this year's Bobble Day, which is part of the Charity's Spread the Warmth campaign, include actress Joanna Lumley, 007 favourite Roger Moore, lifestyle guru Jo Wood, model and actress (Dirty Sexy Things) Charlotte De Carle, model and Made In Chelsea star Funda Onal, and model Julian Okines. An added dose of glamour comes from actress Roxanne Pallett, most famous for her role in Emmerdale and more recently Waterloo Road, who is sure to set temperatures soaring and raise awareness of the event by posing with some bespoke knitwear from Grannies, Inc. and Age UK bobbles (pictures available on PA newswire and from the Age UK Media Office).

Roxanne Pallett said: 'I was raised by my grandma and have a real respect for her generation. I'd love for us all to go that extra mile to help older people this winter, especially now with the freezing temperatures. Something as simple as buying fluffy bobbles from one of Age UK's shops, or buying the official Bobble Day hat¹, will help raise funds to help older people. So go on, wrap up warm in your brightest woollies, pin on your Age UK bobble, and help spread that warm and fuzzy feeling this winter.'

When Roger Moore was a young aspiring actor, he supplemented his income by modelling knitwear and Michael Caine later dubbed him ‘the big knit'. Roger said: 'This ‘big knit' now supports Age UK's Bobble Day and I'll be urging everyone to wear their favourite knitwear on 10 February: you too could look as debonair, suave and sophisticated as me - Bobble-O-Seven! But more importantly, you will also be helping to save lives by supporting Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign.'

Joanna Lumley is also lending her support to Bobble Day. She said: 'Please join me in making a donation to Age UK to help older people who are suffering from the cold this winter. It's a hugely important cause; let's Spread the Warmth together.'

And Jo Wood has urged people to unite behind the cause, insisting that we're all going to grow older one day. The life-style guru said: 'One thing for sure in life is that we all get old. So I'm delighted to be supporting Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign by taking part in Bobble Day. As a nation we need to treat our elder generation with the love and respect they deserve, and we can do this by joining together to help keep them warm. I'm sporting my bobbles for this campaign in the hope it will inspire you to join me in spreading love and warmth too.'

Bobble Day aims to highlight the plight of people in later life during times like the recent cold snap, as over 200 older people die needlessly every day in winter because of the effects of cold weather. Age UK's Bobble Day is part of the Charity's annual Spread the Warmth campaign, which aims to make winter warmer for 360,000 older people by providing information, advice and practical services. These include getting warm and nutritious meals to older people, helping to keep homes warm and giving free information and advice 365 days a year.

Paul Farthing, Fundraising Director at Age UK, said: 'Bobble Day is definitely a chance to have fun by wearing warming fashion items and finishing off woolly outfits with a colourful Age UK bobble, but there is a serious issue at its heart. February is often one of the coldest months of the year and many older people will be suffering. By getting involved in Bobble Day you can help us change this.'

Mini bobbles in vibrant pink, yellow and orange are available from Age UK's shops up and down the country for a suggested £1 donation. Alternatively, the official Bobble Day hat, which has been knitted by a UK granny from 100% merino wool, is available from knitwear label Grannies Inc - costing £35, with £8 going directly to Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign.

There are lots of ways to help Age UK Spread the Warmth this winter. People can find out more and make a donation simply by calling 0800 169 87 87 or visiting www.ageuk.org.uk/bobbleday. Alternatively, they can show their support for Bobble Day by turning their Facebook profile picture all woolly with the new Knit Me app at http://on.fb.me/knitmeapp

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For further information, please call Katie Rispin at Age UK on 020 3033 1427or email katie.rispin@ageuk.org.uk

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Notes to Editors:

Knitwear label Grannies, Inc. has designed a limited edition hat to raise money for Age UK's Bobble Day (Friday 10 February). Lovingly crafted by grannies in the UK, the official Bobble Day hat in bright orange, yellow and pink, with an oversized bobble (pom pom), is made from 100% British spun merino wool yarn - giving each hat a bespoke quality. The official Bobble Day hat is available from the grannies inc website costing £35, with £8 going directly to Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign.

Spread the Warmth

Too many older people are suffering and dying needlessly in winter because of the effects of cold weather, so Age UK has launched its annual Spread the Warmth campaign. The Charity and its local and national partners are aiming to make winter warmer for 360,000 older people by providing information, advice and practical services to help keep warm and well in the colder winter months, preventing many thousands from being left isolated and alone. These include getting warm and nutritious meals to older people, helping to keep homes warm, and giving free information and advice 365 days a year.

Older people and their families can call Age UK Advice for free on 0800 169 65 65, where they can also order a free copy of ‘Winter Wrapped Up', a guide funded by E.ON. Alternatively they can visit www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk to download the guide, get more information about Spread the Warmth and find out where their local Age UK office or shop is. There are lots of ways to help Age UK Spread the Warmth this winter. People can make a donation simply by calling 0800 169 87 87 or visiting www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk.

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and wellbeing, home and care, work and learning and travel and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact Age UK: Katie Rispin
Email: Katie.rispin@ageuk.org.uk
Direct line: 020 3033 1427
Out-of-hours: 07071 243 243