Queen of quilts Ellen Royston helps knit thousands of blankets for kids in need

A KIND-hearted knitter has proved where there’s wool there’s a way by helping fashion thousands of handmade blankets for fostered children.

Ellen Royston(pictured) puts her needles to good use by crocheting and knitting colourful comforters with which Rotherham foster carers can make their young visitors feel secure.

The Maltby wool-wrangler reckons she has helped to make and distribute 2,200 blankets and patchwork quilts over the 22 years since she started working with volunteer group Project Linus back in 2007.

Many of the creations have been donated to children’s hospital wards and local refuges. As as making many of the quilts and blankets herself, Ellen plays a key role in collecting and distributing them.

“I started making the blankets to help local children who were ill, but this quickly expanded to helping any child who needs comfort,” she said.

“The foster carers do a wonderful job of helping Rotherham’s most vulnerable children. I hope the blankets I’ve made help provide a feeling of security and home at a time when they need it the most.”

Ellen led a Knit and Natter session with foster carers at Rotherham’s Riverside Library to help promote fostering, with Rotherham Borough Council always on the hunt for most welcoming households for its looked-after children.

Foster carers are given training and support and they are paid a weekly allowance.

For more information, call 01709 823976 or visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/fostering.