BLACKBURN schools and businesses have been ‘wearing it woolly’ in a bid to raise cash for local services and to increase awareness of the issues faced by the elderly over the course of the winter period.

The fundraising campaign, run by Age UK, involves staff and pupils at local schools spending the day in warm woolly clothing to highlight the need to keep wrapped up and warm as the temperatures plummet below zero.

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Last Friday pupils at Blackburn’s Brookhouse Primary School supported the campaign by having their very own ‘wear it woolly’ and ‘mighty mittens’ day.

The staff at Age UK’s Blackburn with Darwen office, who on Friday were visited by local MP Jack Straw, also held their own ‘Bobble Day’ to raise awareness for the campaign.

And on Friday the Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School, Shadsworth, will also be holding their ‘wear it woolly’ day.

The campaign is intended to raise money and awareness to help keep older people warm and well during the freezing winter months.

“The theme is to wear it woolly,” said Vicky Shepherd, chief executive. “So that can be anything from a woolly jumper to hat, scarf and gloves.”

She added, “Older people die needlessly from the effects of the cold weather each winter in the UK and this is a fun way of bringing to light a very serious health issue.”