Woman, 100, knits bear necessities for charity ship

Susan Davis knitted 65 bears for the project

A 100-year-old woman was among a group from the Orkney island of Sanday that knitted more than 200 teddy bears for children on a charity hospital ship.

Susan Davis, known as Dolly, was one of the islanders who stepped in to help the efforts of the Mercy Ships charity.

She managed to knit 65 bears for the project, and they will go to the young patients on the Africa Mercy.

The knitting drive was organised by 15-year-old Lena Alice, as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

Lena said: "It was a real challenge and I couldn't have done it without the help of all the ladies on the island."

'Amazing gesture'

The Africa Mercy is staffed by an international crew of volunteers ranging from seamen and engineers to surgeons, doctors and nurses.

The teddy bears will be shipped out to the Africa Mercy at Togo.

Judy Polkinhorn, executive director of Mercy Ships UK, said: "This is an amazing gesture by Lena and all the ladies on Sanday, especially Dolly who is still knitting at 100 years old.

"Donations like this make such a difference to the child patients onboard the Africa Mercy who love teddies just as much as children here."