Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Volunteers' Knitting Project to Assist Syrian Refugees

In Conjunction with Emirates Red Crescent Society, Knitted Donations will Arrive in time for Winter

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Volunteers from Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), managed by Cleveland Clinic, have been working on knitting booties, hats and blankets to warm Syrian babies in refugee camps in Jordan.

With the support of the Emirates Red Crescent Society, the knitted donations will arrive in the camps in time for the upcoming winter. To date, approximately 200 pairs of booties, 20 blankets, and 20 beanies/hats have been handmade by volunteers and supporters.

Ms. Salam Al Haj, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at SKMC said: “The Syrian baby booties project is based on the desire of the SKMC Volunteers' knitting group to contribute not just their time, but also their talents and efforts, in order to protect infants in Syria throughout the upcoming winter season in the camps.”

The project was conceived by SKMC volunteer Sandra Abu El Nour, who coordinated more than 20 women to contribute to this appeal, which arose out of a previous campaign. In April 2013, another group of volunteer knitters formed SKMC Squares - Unity of Squares, who knitted gifts such as shawls and blankets for SKMC patients, with messages of love and care.

Supporters of the project include Lulu Hypermarket - Khalidya Branch which kindly donated knitting needles and wool, Higher Colleges of Technology - Women's College, Abu Dhabi and Dubai Knitting Groups and The Club Abu Dhabi's ladies knitting/crocheting group.

“This is a personal project, from mothers and all in SKMC, Abu Dhabi and across the UAE directly to mothers and babies in Syrian refugee camps. We thank the Emirates Red Crescent Society for their support of this project, as well as the tireless volunteers for their continued dedication and efforts,” added Al Haj.