IT WAS all hands on deck as local women's groups worked together to craft with a philanthropic purpose.

The Upper Clatford WI group, supported by members from Charlton WI, Goodworth Clatford WI and Longstock & Leckford WI held a day dedicated to crafting for the Community.

The group have previously donated handmade cot quilts to the Special Care Baby Unit in Winchester and heart shaped comfort cushions and drainage bags to be used by breast cancer patients at Winchester Hospital.

With their previous crafting efforts a success, the group of women decided once again to get making.

Maureen Dyson, secretary of the Upper Clatford WI said: "The Birthing centre at Andover War Memorial Hospital asked if we could make them small comfort hearts to assist mums with breastfeeding. The idea is that mum and baby receive a small cotton heart to place with mum and the baby to help with the essential scent bonding during those first few days.

"At the same time, we identified a need again for more drainage bags and comfort cushions to be made for the breast care unit, so we decided on a plan.

"Our leading Crafter – President of Upper Clatford WI, Liz Male put out a call to neighbouring WI groups to lend a hand and we were not disappointed. At the beginning of October we gathered together at Upper Clatford village hall when we spent a whole day, cutting out, sewing, ironing, finishing off these items and we had fun doing it.

"We had donations of home made soup and cakes to help the day go along and we worked very hard to produce around 70 lovely heart shaped cushions, 15 drainage bags and 60 tiny cotton hearts to help breastfeeding mums. We will be making sure that the recipients get their items within the next week or so. Many thanks to all the ladies who helped with this project, we appreciate everyone’s help in our support of our local community."