A WARRINGTON voluntary group that has brought comfort to thousands of sick children is to hold an exhibition of its handicrafts to raise funds.
Project Linus UK Warrington will hold the exhibition at its autumn fair at Padgate Methodist Church Hall, Padgate Lane on Saturday, October 14, from 11am to 2pm.
On show will be the security blankets made by the group which are sent to Warrington Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit, Warrington Women’s Refuge, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
They are also given to individual children identified to the group, schools, etc.
Group co-ordinator Jean Dickeson said: “We deliver quilts and blankets to children in need of a hug. There is no charge and they keep their blankets. We always try to get the blankets delivered to children who are local to the makers.”
Originally, the group targeted paediatric cancer patients, but Project Linus UK has broadened its focus to take in seriously ill, abused, bereaved or traumatised children from birth to 18.
Project Linus – named after the character in the Peanuts comic strip who never went anywhere without his security blanket – was launched in America in 1995. Five years later, it came to the UK and the Warrington branch was formed in 2006 with 12 members. It now has 40 members and a waiting list to join.
The members are knitters and quilters who enjoy meeting up to chat and create the blankets.
But the cost of materials has risen sharply in recent times and the group rely on fundraising to keep going. The autumn fair is one of its main fundraising events.
In addition to the exhibition, there will be stalls selling crafts, gifts, cakes raffle, etc. All proceeds will go to Project Linus UK Warrington.
Jean said: “While we cannot reach out to every distressed child, we can help to provide some tangible evidence that someone cares, along with the physical reassurance that comes with being snuggled up in a quilt and the lift to the spirit from the bright colours and cheerful patterns sewn into it.”
