A FATHER and son had an idea to keep Britain's pensioners warm - get the population of Iceland to donate their jumpers.

A shipping container packed full of warm clothes has now arrived in England, thanks to an Icelandic family living in Sale. Njall Hardarson, 61, and his son Gisli Njalsson, 35, were shocked by the number of elderly people dying from cold in Britain. So they decided to appeal directly to their countrymen.

After contacting dozens of organisations in Iceland, the appeal was adopted by a radio station and the donations snowballed.

Thousands of garments made from Icelandic wool, including sweaters, mittens, hats, scarves and blankets were donated, many brand new, and the 20ft container was filled in just four days.

One nine-year-old girl collected 37 jumpers. Njall, a semi-retired businessman who has lived in Britain for eight years, said: "We were shocked reading about vulnerable pensioners dying because they were struggling to pay heating bills and keep warm.

"This does not happen in Iceland despite the fact it can be quite cold.

"Icelandic wool is excellent for keeping warm. I'm not an expert but it is different from the wool from British sheep.

"So we decided to write to people in Iceland asking for donations.

"The response has been fantastic. We're planning to make this an annual appeal."

Radio host Heimir Karlsson said: "When we broadcast the story that British pensioners were dying from the cold, our listeners could not believe their ears."

The British National Pensioners' Convention will distribute the clothes. A spokesman said: "This is a fantastic and generous act of compassion from the people of Iceland, particularly at a time when their own economic situation is extremely difficult.

"But it is also a shocking indictment of the British government's complete inability to properly tackle the problem of winter deaths among older people."



Last year, the M.E.N ran the Winter Warmer Appeal, which called on well-off pensioners to donate their winter fuel allowance to help those struggling to pay bills.

The appeal raised almost £18,000.