A GROUP of crafters from Whitchurch and Malpas have been creating quilts for young people leaving care

Every year community groups around the UK host Christmas dinner events for people who have recently left the care system, who would otherwise likely spend Christmas alone.

The project is organised by the Gold from the Stone Foundation, set up in 2013 by poet, writer and broadcaster Lemn Sissay.

For 2019 members of the North Shropshire and South Cheshire Borderers have joined the mission to create 1,000 quilts in time for Christmas, with 20 dinners planned.

The project in Whitchurch has been organised by Kate Westgate, who decided to get involved after seeing work from similar groups online.

"All around the country Lemn encourages people to put on Christmas dinners for people coming out of care," said Kate

"They hire a venue for the dinners and the quilts that are made are donated. One young man from Leeds said this was the best gift he'd received.

"So many individual groups get involved, I thought why don't we get involved with this?

"I collected all the local groups together and Quilts Trading Post in Buerton agreed to make the quilts for nothing.

"We've made more than 50 bags too and we're putting it all together for Christmas.

"Young people at Christmas will go along to these events and will get a quilt and a bag for life."