Australia’s oldest man knits little jumpers for injured penguins

In what has to be cutest story ever, Australia’s oldest man has been knitting little jumpers for injured penguins.

Penguin toys modeling the knitted jumpers. Pic via the Penguin Foundation

Alfred 'Alfie' Date is 109 years old and has been knitting for 80 years. In 2013, the Penguin Foundation on Philip Island put out a call for knitted jumpers for the island's penguins.

The jumpers are for penguins caught up in an oil spill on the island - the sweater stops the penguins from preening their feathers and swallowing the toxic oil. It also helps keep them warm while they are recovering.

Alfie was asked by the nurses in his retirement home to help out as they knew he was an experienced knitter. And he couldn't say no.

As well as Alfie's contributions, jumpers flooded in from elsewhere and the Foundation says it currently has "plenty of penguin jumpers (sweaters) at this time donated by generous knitters across the globe".

Pic via the Penguin Foundation

Alfie now knits beanies and scarves for his friends and is also keeping his sense of humour active. When asked how he maintained his long life, he replied: "By getting up every day".

H/T: www.breakingnews.ie