A PIECE of quilting created by the household of their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will be sold to raise funds for assistance dog charity Canine Partners, thanks to Haslemere quilter and embroiderer Olive Rowell.

She is organising the Textile Challenge for the charity, and is selling £10 packs of fabrics with which people are asked to create a finished piece. They will become part of an exhibition over four days at The Angel Inn, in Midhurst, from Wednesday, February 18.

Olive, who lives near Shottermill Ponds, was one of a team of 60 chosen to embroider the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress under strict confidentiality at the Royal School of Needlework, in the lead up to the Royal wedding, in 2011.

She has a degree in hand embroidery achieved at the Royal School of Needlework and is an exhibiting member of the Wey Valley Workshop of textile artists.

Olive told The Herald: “The Duchess of Gloucester visited when I was a student at the Royal School of Needlework and was interested in the work we did there. The Duke of Gloucester is patron of Canine Partners, and has always taken a keen interest in the work of the charity.”

She wrote to the duchess about the textile challenge and sent a pack of the fabric squares. Then in early December, she received a letter from a lady-in-waiting, together with a small quilt made from the squares, which was made by the household.

The letter gives permission for the Royal household quilt to be sold alongside the pieces of textile art being made by members of the public, with all proceeds to go to Canine Partners.

The challenge, which is still open, is for people to create a piece from a pack of 25 fabrics and to be part of the exhibition alongside the Royal household quilt.

Olive added: “We are thrilled the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester’s household have taken time out from their busy schedule to take part in the challenge.

“There is still time to be among Royalty and take part too.

“It is an ideal gift for people of all ages. It is a fantastic opportunity to be creative whether you complete the challenge as an individual or group.

“We look forward to welcoming people to the exhibition in February and raising funds so such a worthwhile cause.”

Kay Gilmore, fundraiser at Canine Partners, said: “We are grateful to Olive for donating the proceeds to Canine Partners and we are excited to see the finished pieces exhibited.”

If you are interested in purchasing a 25-piece pack to take on the Textile Art Challenge, contact Olive Rowell on (01428) 642507 or see www.facebook. com/textilechallenge

Packs can now also be bought online – just log on to www.canine partners.org.uk/shop