CARING Stourbridge group Crafting for Communities have been recognised for their kindness by benefitting with a community grant from Central England Co-op.

The group were formed during the pandemic by Wordsley based businesswoman Lisa Maidment and create care bags for patients who have recently been diagnosed with cancer.

Initially known as Dudley Love of Scrubs, the group has grown out of all recognition and now supply several major hospitals with care bags including Birmingham, Sandwell, Russells Hall and New Cross.

The care bags comprise of useful, soothing and supportive handmade items to try and ease cancer patients on their journey back to health.

Now the group have been given a real shot in the arm with a £1,150 grant from the Co-op's community fund to help continue the good work.

Although headquarters is situated at the Mary Stevens Centre in Oldswinford, they operate through 14 hubs situated around the region stretching from Kidderminster to Perton in Wolverhampton where contributors can drop off items.

Lisa, who is a weight plan consultant, explained: “We were born in the pandemic and since then, especially after obtaining our own premises, we’ve grown and grown. It’s an ever increasing circle.

“We have in the region of 2,200 in our makers group, although not all at once, as people tend to dip in and dip out whenever they can. But we produce in the region of 3, 000 to 5,000 items a month.

“We’re completely self-funded and have to raise £3,000 a month just on obtaining materials and running costs.

“As a result we survive by applying for grants, holding on-line auctions and our own fund raising events, which is ongoing.

“That’s why we’re so pleased to receive this funding from the Co-op community grant which is so important as it will enable us to provide around 150 care bags for newly diagnosed cancer patients."