The One Show shines a light on charity that helps combat loneliness
A DERBYSHIRE charity which has adapted to help thousands of businesses during the pandemic received a surprise visit from one of the hosts of the BBC’s The One Show.
Shelagh Cheetham’s charity, Shelagh’s Sewing Circle, has faced many problems since the start of the pandemic, including their home being declared unsafe, but it has kept going and has supplied over 77,000 face masks to frontline workers and businesses over the last 18 months.
The charity, based in Dronfield, has now expanded and is not just about crafting, people can also meet up for a cup of tea and a chat,
The One Show paid a surprise visit to Dronfield to thank Shelagh Cheetham, front right, and her charity helping them combat loneliness and isolation.
When crafting2gether, as it is now known, lost its home, Dronfield Town Council stepped in and offered them their premises in order to keep going.
BBC’s The One Show surprised Shelagh at Dronfield Sports Centre last Thursday as presenter and fashion business owner Patrick Grant turned up to thank Shelagh for everything she, and her charity has done over the last year or so.
Pauline Memmott, a volunteer with crafting2gether, said “We are very grateful to Dronfield Sports Centre for letting us use their venue for the BBC’s One Big Thank You surprise for our founder, Shelagh Cheetham.
“The success and growth of the charity is all down to Shelagh, although she would say it’s the volunteers.
“With Shelagh’s commitment, we’ve provided thousands of masks to key workers, helped a charity in Armenia by knitting scarves and at a local level, we help combat isolation by providing social contact for members of our community.
“Everyone is welcome to join us to create or just have a cuppa and a chat.”