The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) recently received a generous donation of hand-knitted clothing for premature babies from Glenis Knight, a retired nurse originally from the UK and now residing in Barbados. The donation, consisting of meticulously crafted sets of sweaters, hats, and booties, will be used in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to provide warmth for the hospital’s smallest patients.

After decades in the medical profession, Glenis has found a heartwarming way to continue her nurturing legacy through creating knitted sets for premature babies, a craft that brings her both joy and a sense of purpose.

Reflecting on her journey, Glenis shared, “I was knitting a cot blanket for my nephew’s new baby and had some wool left over. There was just enough to knit a bonnet for a premature baby. I enjoyed doing it so much that I started knitting entire sets for the neonatal unit.”

Her compassion and love for knitting aren’t new. As a cadet nurse, student nurse, and later an enrolled nurse, Glenis had spent about nine years crocheting blankets for patients in geriatric wards back in the UK. “I used to make blankets for the older generations at the local hospital,” she recalls, “So now I’m doing it for the next generation.”

Glenis’ knitting for premature babies is more than just a hobby; it’s a beautiful continuation of her lifelong commitment to caregiving.  The knitted items will soon be used in the NICU, where they will help keep premature infants warm during critical stages of their development. Glenis’ work serves as a reminder that even in retirement, healthcare professionals can continue to make a meaningful difference in their communities.