A Whittington woman is urging local people to don Christmas jumpers as part of a festive fundraising drive for the Save the Children charity.

Thousands of children across the UK will be aiming to “make the world better with a sweater’ by swapping school uniforms for garish knitwear to celebrate national Christmas Jumper Day on Friday, December 13.

And long-serving fundraiser Barbara Molesworth is inviting grown-ups to call in at her home, Garden Croft, Daisy Lane, between 10.30am and 3.30pm when she’ll be offering mince pies and other refreshments in return for donations.

“I hope to see as many people as possible wearing Christmas jumpers, but it won’t matter if they haven’t got one, so long as they’re supporting Save the Children,” she said. “It’s especially significant this year, because the charity is celebrating its centenary after being founded in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb and her sister Dorothy, who came from Ellesmere.”

For many years, Mrs Molesworth and her late husband, Doug, used to raise money by opening their garden to hundreds of visitors, and she has continued the tradition each summer since his death.

“Four years ago, I decided to support Christmas Jumper Day as well,” she said. "I think people in Whittington and the surrounding area love the idea. It’s such a simple way to raise money for a worthwhile cause and to remind ourselves that there are many children around the world who will be facing a terrible time this Christmas.”

During his years as headteacher of Whittington Primary School, Mrs Molesworth’s husband helped to raise thousands of pounds for Save the Children.

In the 1970s, pupils won the charity’s national fundraising award three times, resulting in a visit to Buckingham Palace to meet its patron, Princess Anne.