People in Newbury have packed 8000 knitted baby hats and knitwear donated by knitters and well-wishers across the UK in response to an appeal from retired surgeon Dr John Philip.

This project, to protect newborn Ukrainian babies against the bitterly cold Eastern European winter, is just one aspect of Dr Philip’s ongoing commitment to support the beleaguered citizens and medical professionals in Ukraine.

Dr Philip said: “Of all the heart-breaking stories I heard from colleagues in Ukraine, the worst was about the plight of mums and new-born babies.

“The war conditions are causing an increase in the number of low birth-weight premature babies; their lives are in peril. One way to help them survive is to encourage skin to skin contact."

Backed up by evidence from a WHO supported project to help vulnerable babies to thrive in the early few weeks of their lives, Dr Philip supplied over 3000 specially designed wraps to hospitals in Ukraine. These wraps were made in Moldova and transported to Ukraine during November.

Babies lose heat through their heads which could lead to a life-threatening drop in their body temperature.

So, in combination the hats and wraps will help babies preserve their body temperature and so improve their chances of survival.

"The wraps and the hats together act as a protective shield for small vulnerable infants. From the responses we have had I’ve no doubt that they will assist in protecting many small infants in Ukraine.”