BEAUTIFUL gifts handmade by the Haslemere Quilters plus a patchwork quilt raffled as a prize at the town’s 2019 charities fair raised £2,000 for the group’s two nominated charities.

Members had voted to support Stepping Stones School for special needs students in Hindhead and Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

The money was divided between the two charities and Shooting Star representative Ellie Constable and Stepping Stones representatives Lizzie Butler were each presented with a cheque for £1,000 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall.

The group has been meeting at the church hall every month since 2012.

Quilter Linda Donaldson explained: “This wonderful amount had been raised at the Bliss Charities Fair at Haslemere Hall last November.

“All the members of the Haslemere quilting group had spent many afternoons making things to sell at the fair, from tablemats to children’s aprons, Christmas tree decorations, patchwork crackers and many more.

“First prize at the raffle was a lovely patchwork quilt made by Carole Shanahan.”

Members have also joined fellow quilters around the world to show their support for an appeal to help families who have lost their homes due to the Australian bush fires.

They have made tree block squares for ‘The Tree of Strength for Australia’ appeal.