A GROUP of elderly women spent two years sewing a handmade patchwork quilt to raise funds for disadvantaged children.

The women, aged between 83 and 92, who form the St Augustine’s Church sewing group, will raffle off the double friendship quilt at Morrisons supermarket in Weymouth on Friday, February 17.

The church at Lodmoor, Weymouth is part of the Catholic parish of Our Lady, Star of the Sea and the weekly sewing group is one of the activities hosted by the parish.

Money raised from the sewing group’s efforts will help children who live in poor conditions in Sao Paulo, Brazil and suffer from severe disabilities.

The group began to raise funds for the Nest of Hope charity after seeing a Channel 4 documentary which highlighted the good works of Father Eddy McGettrick.

The group’s other fundraising efforts have included selling hand-made jewellery and hosting a fashion show of donated items that raised more than £1,000.

Myra Rich, 92, who designed and supervised the sewing of the quilt, said: “It was worth it because we knew that the money would go to the children at the Nest of Hope.”

On hearing of the group’s efforts, Father McGettrick said: “I am so grateful to these wonderful women.” Raffle tickets will cost £1 each or £5 for a book.