THE knitters of Crosland Moor just can’t seem to stop doing good – and in doing so have highlighted the plight of poverty-stricken children around the world.

With Christmas starting to appear on the horizon the arguments regarding its ceaseless and overpowering materialism are certain to surface again.

Yet the five ladies from the Mothers’ Union at St Barnabas’ Church have shown that a teddy can still bring comfort to a child in one of the many countries around the world where simply surviving each day can be seen as a bonus.

They have knitted 3,000 over the last 12 years and are still going strong.

It also makes you reflect there are kind-hearted people in this country who have not lost sight of the fact that in many parts of the world life can be little short of horrific and such a simple gift can produce that most wonderful response of all ... a smile.