Until people like Mr Paine started knitting, the only way these little ones could be kept warm was to wrap them in newspapers. Thousands and thousands of jumpers are needed, with the number of children in the Sudan contracting the disease rising every day.

Mr Paine said he has knitted his whole life. He started when he was just six, now he’s 60. He can make anything. He was never taught – it’s something he just knew how to do. He can read patterns, but doesn’t know why.

One of 12 children, he was born with meningitis which left him with a weak spine and a brain injury. He eventually had an operation to remove fluid from his brain.

“I never should have lived,” he said.

“Now I want to give something back.”

As if that weren’t enough, his wife died in 1990 leaving him with an eight-year-old son to raise on his own. After her death they moved to Bathurst to start a new life.

For the last 12 months Mr Paine has cared for his mother May who is unable to walk. She is now living at St Catherine’s.

It was through Sister Mary Farrell, a resident, that Mr Paine heard about the knitting project.

However, before he could begin, he had to have surgery for carpel tunnel syndrome in both hands.

Now there is no stopping him. He has knitted 12 baby jumpers since starting in July.

“There is no limit to the number I could make,” he said.

Mr Paine knits in the evening while he is watching TV. He knits whenever he has time in between bingo and visiting his mum. Even as he talks you can see his fingers are itching to pick up the needles. He said it keeps both his fingers and his brain nimble.

“I love it,” he said. “To my way of thinking, if I can help somebody out, I will.

“It amazes me to think my jumpers will keep keep a sick little baby over in Africa warm.

“I really like being able to help them out.”

Mr Paine said he is happy to teach people how to make the jumpers or share the special pattern with them.

Once the jumpers are finished, they can be left for Sister Mary at St Catherine’s.