THE chosen charity for the Allensmore WI in 2018 was the Special Care Baby Unit at Hereford Hospital.

In addition to the core fundraising for the unit, Allensmore WI treasurer Carol Mumford, managed to knit octopus toys to a very specific pattern which are used by the unit.

The tentacles on each octopus imitate the mother's umbilical cord and they are meant to help stabilise their heart rate and comfort them.

The octopuses must be made from 100 per cent cotton so they can be washed and dried and have passed the hospital's infection control.

Carol completed 18 of the special octopuses and presented them to the ward manager at the hospital during a recent visit.