An exclusive new Shaun the Sheep animation has been unveiled today (Friday, November 22). Academy Award-winning Bristol-based animation studio Aardman has partnered up with international children’s charity Save The Children, to create a new animation to celebrate the charity’s Christmas Jumper Day fundraising campaign.
Titled ‘The Knit Before Christmas’, this new animation is a play on Aardman’s festive film ‘The Flight Before Christmas, while also embracing the anticipation and magic of Clement Clarke Moore’s ‘The Night Before Christmas’ It sees Shaun encouraging others to ‘Join the Flock’ by visiting ChristmasJumperDay.org.
The ‘woolliest day of the year’ takes place on Thursday, December 12, and the residents of Mossy Bottom Farm can be seen in the festive animation preparing for the big day. Leader of the Flock, Shaun the Sheep, showcases his dedication to supporting the charity’s campaign as the short film unravels.
With snow falling, festive tunes playing and Christmas decorations at the ready, Timmy’s excitement grows, and the barn calendar shows the woolliest day is on its way. The doorbell rings and Bitzer races The Farmer to receive a special delivery from Save the Children HQ – a box of supplies to help the flock celebrate Christmas Jumper Day.
As Bitzer shows everyone what’s arrived, Shaun, the Twins and Timmy’s mum can be seen happily knitting their festive pullovers, as Shirley proudly dons her Christmas jumper. Christmas jumpers at the ready and the farm adorned with decorations, Timmy looks in awe as Bitzer reveals the final item from the Christmas Jumper Day box – a ‘Head of Wool’ badge for Shaun the Sheep as he is given a new role as Save the Children’s Head of Wool for Christmas Jumper Day.
The flock cheer and Shaun jumps for joy as he celebrates his ‘new fleece of life’!
To highlight the message, Save The Children has also written a poem to accompany the short film:
“T’was the knit before Christmas and out in the barn
Save the Children’s Head of Wool was spinning some yarn.
Shaun darned, stitched, and linked – even did some crochet
as he knitted a jumper for his favourite day.
A day packed with laughter, seasons bleatings,
whether you’re at school, on the farm, or in meetings.
And the best bit – of course – about wearing your sweater,
is that every donation makes children’s lives better.
Now the countdown is on, we’re watching the clock.
So sign up today and be part of the flock!”
The Christmas Jumper Day campaign sees millions of people across the UK don their jolliest jumpers to raise money for the charity – whether at work or in the classroom.