MONKEYS at a sanctuary in South Africa received handmade gifts in time for Christmas thanks to the latest initiative by a North Yorkshire care home knitting group.
The Knitting Nannas, from Hazelgrove Court Care Home, in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, produced over a dozen woollen toys and blankets for primates at a rescue centre in South Africa’s capital Pretoria.
The group of elderly knitters – all in their 70s, 80s and 90s – have a track record of knitting for various animal charities, having previously produced blankets for South African rhinos and jumpers for Australian penguins.
Monkeys were the focus of their latest charitable knit, however, when the group discovered International Primate Rescue, which has been caring for rescued primates with behavioural issues and other disorders since 1996.
Hazelgrove Court Care Home activities coordinator Sharon Lewis found the rescue centre online and discussed it with the Knitting Nannas before contacting the charity’s founder, Sue Mousley.
Sharon said: “One of our residents, Judith, said she had heard monkeys like to play with toys just like children. Apparently they are called enrichment toys. So we thought it would make a great next project for the Knitting Nannas.
“I emailed Sue Mousley, the founder, and our residents were delighted when she emailed back and said their monkeys would love the toys and also knitted blankets. Our residents could not wait to get started.”
The group sent the completed batch of toys and blankets to South Africa in time for Christmas, with Sue planning to give them to the monkeys as gifts on Christmas day.
Sue said: “We are deeply touched by this amazing gesture and are very grateful to your residents. The beautiful hand written letter brought tears to my eyes.”
Judith Pearson, 81, a resident at Hazelgrove Court Care Home, said: “It is great to be part of this project. I never thought when I mentioned toys for monkeys we would be making them.”
Follow resident Joyce Baxtrem, 94, added: “I love telling people what I’m knitting and, when I say toys for monkeys, they laugh.”
It is not the first time the residents have taken up their knitting needles for wildlife causes. In December 2024, the group made national and international headlines when they produced blankets for orphaned baby rhinos in South Africa – including three-week-old calf Hercules, who had been attacked by hyenas.
Then, in May 2025, they knitted mini jumpers to support The Penguin Foundation in Australia, which protects the 40,000 strong bird colony on Phillip Island, south of Melbourne.
The Knitting Nannas have also undertaken around a dozen other projects throughout the years – not always involving animals – with the first being a knitted dressing gown for Knit for Peace in 2019, which supported women’s refuges and homeless projects throughout the UK.
Sharon said: “I love getting residents involved in knitting projects. Not only does it give them a great sense of achievement but it’s a great conversation starter with families and friends that visit the home – especially when you say you are knitting toys for monkeys.”