In May 2026, This is Haslemere met with Dianne (pronounced Dee-Anne) Bennett who coordinates BLISS Knitters supporting babies born premature or sick. We were invited to their Haslewey collection point where knitters were dropping off their hand-made knitted donations in support of BLISS. We enjoyed spending time with Dianne - a veritable force for good - and it was lovely hearing the stories of some of her volunteer knitters too.  

About Dianne and BLISS

Dianne, now aged 80, shared with us that all three of her children were premature. Her eldest Huw was born a month early; her second son Sam was born thirteen weeks early and lived for six hours; her daughter Carys was born thirteen weeks early and weighed 2lbs 5oz. Carys spent thirteen weeks in hospital, her first two weeks in Cambridge and then she was transferred to Guildford. The Bennett family moved to Haslemere in 1982, four days after Carys was born.

Dianne said she was so devastated to lose Sam and was truly grateful for the care Carys received that she wanted to pay back what she felt was a huge debt. On the door of the neonatal unit, she spotted a BLISS poster. She joined the organisation in April 1983. In September of the same year, she went to their AGM in London and volunteered and joined the board as a trustee. She carried out that national role for 22 years.

Locally, Dianne wanted to fundraise and she eventually set up a local Haslemere BLISS branch. That was 41 years ago and she is still supporting BLISS to this day. Initially the Branch concentrated on fundraising, also offering help to parents with babies in Special Care. Two years after setting up the Branch, the recruitment of knitters began. With the help of editorial from all local editions of The Herald, Dianne put a callout for knitters and 50 volunteers came forward in that first week.

By 2010 the Branch had disbanded as people moved away or had other commitments so, nowadays BLISS in Haslemere is Dianne keeping it all going. She fundraises through the Annual Charities Fair at Haslemere Hall and has built up a team of 676 knitters. She is also supported by Jan Dolman and Jane Harman, both from Farnham.

Dianne explained to us, “I have the energy to keep supporting BLISS as I’m still passionate about giving prem babies the best start in life. Many of the knitters are motivated too as they have had experience of premature babies in their families. I keep in regular contact and write a newsletter twice a year to say Thank You. As not all my knitters have email, I have to send out 70 photocopies. Burley Geach locally do all my photocopying for free and I am extremely grateful for their kindness.”

The detail in Dianne’s 14-page newsletter is meticulous. It covers knitting patterns, and the distribution of donations to “an all-time record of 69 neo-natal units” which is achieved by volunteers and Parcel Force. She began her May 2026 newsletter by writing:

“Dear Knitters, There are now 676 BLISS Knitters (that's 611 on email and 65 postal) and I am delighted to have recruited so many new members over the past six months! Welcome everyone to this Summer Newsletter, my opportunity to report on what we donated to Baby Units last winter and where it all went. It's also another chance for me to say a huge thank you to everyone for your interest and support. The amount of time and effort that now goes into knitting little comforts for our babes is remarkable, and the sheer quantity of work produced is truly stunning. We are able to help more premature and sick newborn than ever before, and for this I offer my heartfelt gratitude to all. Last Christmas we were once again able to give Stockings and knits to every single Neonatal Unit in all counties across the south, almost all Greater London hospitals, plus some further afield.”

In December 2025, Dianne’s knitters made approximately 9,000 items – Christmas Stockings and Teddies (1446), Blankets (1294), Cardi, Hat, Boot sets (1146), Miscellaneous pieces (5157) – It is a phenomenal output from this team of volunteers.

BLISS at this year’s Haslemere Fringe

Dianne was excited to tell us that BLISS has been selected as one of six charity partners at this year’s Haslemere Fringe which takes place 3rd to 5th July on Lion Green. Dianne will be up on stage for a live interview and pre-recorded videos projected between acts will highlight the work of BLISS. There will also be fundraisers and knitters there, so do go along and make a point of saying hello.

Meet some of the BLISS knitters whom we spoke with at the May 2026 Collection Point at Haslewey

Eileen who was on Meet and Greet duties told us, “My mum got me into knitting. I make blankets, toys, clothes and whatever takes my fancy for BLISS. I enjoy it. I think of all the babies who are supported. It is such a lovely thing to do.”

Sue Coates has volunteered for BLISS for four years and explained, “I saw an ad in a local paper looking for knitters. I’ve made blankets, jackets, cardigans, hats and boots. So far, my blanket tally is 115. I love doing it. I occupy my hands in the evening. Dianne is marvellous and coordinates so much.”

Jennifer is another devoted knitter. Her daughter Tina used to cycle for BLISS taking part in the Liphook Bike Ride and her grandson has also fundraised by doing The Great South Run. Tina also volunteers as a driver for BLISS. Jennifer shared, “Today, I’ve dropped off 8 blankets, 12 hats and 4 cardigans. It is a good way to occupy my time and I think of the premature babies. My grandson was born in September but due in December. He spent three months in the hospital so BLISS is close to my heart. I’ve always knitted.” She reminisced, “I worked at Glover’s, the local haberdashery (now housing, opposite St Stephen’s Church), from the age of 13 to 23. We had doughnuts on a Friday. We often looked after the children of the owner, Mrs Lockwood.”

Colin was introduced to This is Haslemere as a gentleman knitter. We discovered he does embroidery too. He had come from Lindford to drop off his items. He told us, “I’ve brought blankets, cardigans, jackets, red hats for Christmas and they’ve filled up two bags-for-life. My father taught me to knit. He was six foot tall and the anchor man on the tug-of-war team. He was in the RAF in Alberta repairing aeroplanes. It was so cold during the war, he learned to knit socks and balaclavas. He didn’t have much money you know and needs must. It was a way to occupy himself and keep warm.”

Deanna from Liphook brought a whole range of gorgeous knitted toys and cardigans. She was an Auxiliary Nurse in Haslemere, retiring after 30 years’ service. “I always used to knit and someone suggested knitting for BLISS which I’ve been doing now for 5 years. I’ve brought three bags of toys plus cardigans today. I’ve always been a knitter. I am the youngest of 12 siblings and Granny Dance our neighbour next door taught me to knit. A friend goes around car boots and gets me wool. Knitting is second nature so I can knit for BLISS in the evenings and watch TV at the same time.”

Could you volunteer for BLISS Haslemere?

• Dianne is keen to meet more knitters who can help make blankets, pairs of bonding squares, hats, cardigans, cannula squares, boots, Christmas stockings and more. All patterns are provided.

• BLISS Haslemere is also keen to meet volunteer drivers who are willing to make journeys beyond Surrey to deliver knitted items.

• They are also very keen to accept donations of wool. Please help if you can and feel free to send a message via This is Haslemere which we will pass on.

• Could you help with a financial donation to cover the cost of couriers and cardboard boxes for posting out knitted goods? In 2025, Dianne distributed many hundreds of items and fundraising helps her cover this expenditure. Supporters could go to www.bliss.org.uk, click Donate, then specify "In support of Haslemere BLISS Knitters". Your donation would then be ringfenced for the knitters to draw on.

Throughout the collection point session that we attended at Haslewey, Dianne made a point of thanking all her volunteers. In her newsletter it's a constant theme thanking all the volunteers who contribute to supporting BLISS. That recognition is wonderful.

Pictured in BLISS T-shirts from left to right are: Jane Harman, Maggie Thomas, Dianne Bennett