“The real joy is when someone receives a quilt and the comfort and love it gives them.”
Liz’s story
Two dozen children and young people engaged with our Candle Children Bereavement Service were the lucky recipients recently of stunning quilts, all bearing the same touching message on their label – made with tender loving care for Project Linus.
This generous donation was from the South London area group of the Community Interest Company, named after the character from the Peanuts cartoon strip who was never seen without his comfort blanket.
Area coordinator Liz Powderham has been an avid crafter since childhood, sewing, knitting and upholstering. But it’s quilting that has been her passion for the last 25 years.
Liz enthuses: “Quilting really is my sweet spot. It’s the colours, designs and construction as well as the satisfaction when a quilt is finished. However, the real joy is when someone receives a quilt and the comfort and love it gives them. That’s the real buzz.”
Literally seven days a week, Liz can be found quilting herself and also coordinating the network of 100 local volunteers, who between them produce more than 1500 quilts and blankets a year, contributing to the total of 615,000 Project Linus UK has donated to children’s hospices, hospitals and special schools and refuges within the UK over the last quarter of a century.
For Liz and her team of quilters – aged 13 to 93 – the motivation is the impact the quilts have on the children and young people – ranging from newborns to 18-year-olds – and their families.
“If we just went and bought them a fleecy blanket it would be kind but if you have something that’s made especially for you then you know they are personal and made with love.
“I don’t often get to meet the children but when I do, they remain with you and many of them are still with me now.”
“We made a special one for a 16-year-old girl who was leaving care to go into independent living accommodation. No one had ever made anything for her before and when I spoke to her case worker two years later, she said it was still her most treasured possession.
“I’ve been told of children who have been buried wrapped in their quilts and bereaved parents who take their children’s quilts to bed with them so they can feel close to their child.
“As well as the significance for the children and young people receiving the quilt, it’s also an opportunity for our volunteers to support distressed and disadvantaged children in our local community. Many are older people with great skills and experience who gain so much from being part of the Linus team.”
“As long as there is breath in me I will keep quilting.”
Liz
For an experienced quilter like Liz, it takes about a day to make a simple one for a young child. She’s always happy to pass on her skills and knowledge to novices too.
“The materials used the make the quilts are increasingly expensive and where we can , we provide some for the volunteers. We need about £2,000 a year to cover those costs locally. We are very grateful for the generous donations we receive and fundraise through events like coffee mornings and cake sales.”
This recent donation to St Christopher’s was the first since the hiatus caused by Covid-19. Liz hopes to fully restore the link and is planning three donations a year now.
“I’ll carry on as coordinator for as long as I possibly can,” concludes Liz. “And as long as there is breath in me I will keep quilting.”
“I look forward to the future, continuing as a Linus coordinator and enjoying my love of quilting” says Liz.
If you’d like to find out more about Project Linus or maybe join Liz’s quilting team, visit www.projectlinusuk.org.uk or email liz.linusuk@gmail.com
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