Monmouth woman gets stitching for troops (From South Wales Argus)

Monmouth woman gets stitching for troops

5:10pm Friday 20th February 2009 in Gwent news By South Wales Argus Newsdesk

A MONMOUTH quilt-maker has picked up her needle and thread to set up a group honouring servicemen injured in Iraq and Afghanistan by presenting them with specially made quilts.

Jean Morris, of Osbaston, founder of the Quilts of Valour UK branch (QoV UK) was inspired by an American mother who set up a similar foundation in 2003 after her son was deployed to Iraq for a year.

"I met Catherine Roberts at a quilting show in Houston, Texas in 2007 and heard about the Quilts of Valour foundation," said Jean, who has been making quilts for three and a half years. "Around 15,000 quilts have been presented across America so far and now I hope to get a UK branch off the ground," added the 61 year-old.

Six quilts have been presented to servicemen from the First Battalion The Rifles at Beachley Barracks, Chepstow, and a further five are due to presented later this week.

Members of Monmouth’s Quilting group have contributed to the appeal and Jean hopes more volunteers will come forward.

"I want them to have something that they can show their grandchildren in years to come to recognise their service to their country."

Anyone wishing to help with donations or materials or are interested in joining the quilting club can contact Jean on 01600 772340 or log onto www.quiltsofvalourfoundation.org and follow the link.