A two-day exhibition by the Waterloo Quilters, which will benefit the ME Association, will open this Friday (13th May) at St Helen’s Church, Crosby, Merseyside – in time for ME Awareness Week.
It’s the first public outing by the sewing club for some time. Members had to cancel plans for this exact same show two years ago when the pandemic was in full force. On display will be 50 quilts and there will be a competition to judge the best-made cushion, using a variety of quilting, embroidery and appliqué techniques.
There will be a tombola raffle on the theme of home textiles, with prizes contributed by the members themselves.
Club member Karen Bradbury, who has had ME/CFS for over 20 years and attends meetings with the support of a carer and her powerchair, said she was delighted that the club has at last been able to take up her suggestion that they support M.E. research. Proceeds from the raffle will go to our Ramsay Research Fund.
Club chairman Hilary Scott said visitors will be most welcome on Friday and Saturday this week. The club was formed seven years ago after an inspirational teacher called Jean Thorpe stopped teaching her class at a community centre in Waterloo but her students voted to keep on going as a regular activity.
“Quilting is a very creative hobby, and sometimes the simplest of designs look the most effective”, said Hilary. “It’s work that people like to come back to time and again and, of course, it’s somewhere local where people can go to find support, friendship and a shared interest.”
Recently, individual members have also been making quilts for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.
The photos were taken at an exhibition held before the coronavirus crisis.
Club meetings are held twice a month at the Sing Plus Centre, Waterloo. If you would like to join, please email Hilary at info.waterlooquilters@gmail.com
Tony Britton
Senior Fundraising Consultant, The ME Association
tony.britton@meassociation.org.uk Mob: 07393 805566
