Academy Award®-winning animation studio Aardman has colla-baa-rated with international children’s charity Save the Children on an exclusive new Shaun the Sheep animation to celebrate the charity’s Christmas Jumper Day fundraising campaign.

As the woolliest day of the year approaches on Thursday 12th December, our favourite Mossy Bottom Farm residents can be seen preparing for the big day. The leader of the Flock, Shaun the Sheep, demonstrates his co-knit-ment to supporting Save the Children’s baa-rilliant campaign as the animation 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.

New festive Shaun the Sheep animation celebrates Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day. Academy Award-winning animation studio Aardman has colla-baa-rated with international children's charity Save the Children on an exclusive new Shaun the Sheep animation to celebrate the charity's Christmas Jumper Day fundraising campaign. As the woolliest day of the year approaches on Thursday 12th December, our favourite Mossy Bottom Farm residents can be seen preparing for the big day. The leader of the Flock, Shaun the Sheep, demonstrates his co-knit-ment to supporting Save the Children's baa-rilliant campaign as the animation unravels.
Shaun the Sheep stars in The Knit Before Christmas (Aardman / Save the Children)

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’ baa-dge 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 jump(er)s for joy as he celebrates his new fleece of life!

The Knit Before Christmas is a play on Aardman’s festive film The Flight Before Christmas and embraces the anticipation and magic of Clement Clarke Moore’s The Night Before Christmas. The animation has a simple call to action with Shaun the Sheep encouraging others to ‘Join the Flock’ by visiting ChristmasJumperDay.org .

To highlight this message, Save the Children has 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!

Join millions of people across the UK as they don their jolliest jumpers to raise money for Save the Children. Whether ewe are at work or in the classroom, everyone can join the UK’s biggest Christmas party to help make the world better with a sweater. All funds raised will create change for children that lasts for generations to come.

Sign up your school, workplace or family and friend group today at christmasjumperday.org then on the big day, donate what you can to Save the Children to help children in the UK and around the world stay safe, healthy and learning. Welsh-language resources are also available to be downloaded from the website.