A HARD-working Kinmel Bay pensioner is appealing for help to make blankets for victims of the Haiti earthquake.
Despite her poor eyesight Patricia Jones, 68, spends her time crocheting blankets for Ysbyty Glan Clwyd’s baby unit and cancer ward to cope with the death of her husband Brian who died after a long battle with cancer two years ago.
After seeing the devastation caused by the disaster Patricia wants to make blankets for babies on the Caribbean island, but is running out of wool.
She said: “I need wool to keep making them, but I can’t afford it. I’ll make them with any colours. I make them for charity. I think they are wonderful. I want to send some of them to Haiti, but I don’t know how to get them there. I’d like to send them off for the new babies there. Anyone who is going over there can hand them out.”
Kind-hearted Journal readers have already been helping Patricia by donating wool.
Norma Hepburn, 67, of Prestatyn was one of a number of readers who contacted us.
She said: "You get bits of wool left over, sometimes they are full balls. I was thinking what to do with them. I think it is great for what she is doing.
So far Patricia, originally from West Bromwich, has donated 50 blankets to the hospital and will continue to make blankets at a rate of one a day.
She said: “The baby unit uses them to put on the incubators. It saves them having to buy them. I do not charge anything for them, it’s for charity. I love doing it.
“The more wool I can get the better and I can send them where they are needed. I shall still do them even when my sight goes because I can do them without looking. I love doing things for charity. I like to think that someone is getting something out of them. I’ve bought the wool before but I can’t afford it.”
Patricia has also had to cope with the loss of family members in the past year and suffers from osteoporosis and diabetes.
She picked up the skill two years ago from a neice.
“If I can send these off to Haiti for the little babies at least it is something to keep some of them warm. I make king size, double size and single size,” she added.
If you can help Patricia with any donations of wool or are involved in a charity working in Haiti contact The Journal on 01492 523875 or email matt.jones@nwn.co.uk