NEWTON Abbot WI’s Karen Jenks presented Dementia Fiddle Blankets for patients at Cheetham Hill Ward at Torbay Hospital.

Karen says: ‘The purpose of a WI is to improve, as best as we can, the quality of life in the community.

‘So when I saw a plea on Facebook from Cheetham Hill Ward at Torbay Hospital for Dementia Fiddle Blankets, I straight away contacted them and offered our help.

‘We had kindly been given a bag of crocheted and knitted squares and Janet had already started joining them together.

‘Myself, Caroline, Sarah and Bev then worked together to add the fiddle bits, and we also backed the blankets with some lovely fabric to add more interest. My friend Wendy, had also crocheted some blankets, bag and a fiddle muff.

‘Caroline and I then took 23 blankets, 1 bag and 1 fiddle muff to the ward.  They were delighted with them and we were told that each blanket was given to a patient and would be theirs to keep.  We were also told how the fiddle muffs were fabulous when taking blood, changing canula’s and other numerous uses and the patient would be able to use the muff to support any procedure.

‘Our donations were also shared with other wards throughout the hospital.

Our ladies were delighted to be able to support the patients and the Ward in this small way. We will continue to make more.  ‘Such a small thing to help with such a cruel illness,’ added Karen.