IT’S THE PATCH OF THE DAY AS SOPHIE THANKS THE NHS

A group of kind-hearted quilters have been doing their bit to provide those in need with some comforts during lockdown.

The women - who are part of the Paisley Patchers group - have been using their free time to create a number of items for key workers and hospital patients.

One member, Nan Hill, from Renfrew, is 98 years old and has been spending her time making Trauma Teddies - which police give out to children in their care as well as knitting hats for premature babies at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Other members have also been making scrub bags for nurses working on the frontline in the fight against coronavirus and quilts for children spending time at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

The regularly work with the Linus Project - a volunteer organisation which provides homemade patchwork quilts and knitted blankets for sick children all over the UK.

Johnstone woman Audrey Hamilton, who is the librarian of the group, said the members are glad they are able to make things to help people while they are spending time at home.

She said: “It has been great to see all the projects which have been keeping people busy during lockdown.

“A lot of the women make quilts and blankets for children through the Linus Project all year round as they are a great comfort to children who are spending time in hospital.

“Some of the other recent projects have came about due to the coronavirus such as the scrub bags for nurses.

“The Trauma Teddies are also fantastic as they are going to children who the police are coming into contact with that may need some comfort.”

Paisley Patchers currently has 40 members of all ages from all over Renfrewshire, who meet every month to share their projects with one another.

They gather at Wallneuk Church in Paisley on the first Monday of every month and invite along guest speakers to share their work.