SIX local women known as the Crafty Ladies have been jointly fundraising since last September for two charities, including local charity Herefordshire Heartstart. So far they have raised an incredible £800 towards Herefordshire Heartstart's - Heartstart how to save a life courses.

The women create and make beautiful hand-made crafts and sell these at local craft fairs.

They also knitted Christmas robins and Easter chicks (with the additional support of some local knitters). They added chocolate, which were then sold at local shops and businesses at Christmas and Easter.

Loraine Coleman, co-ordinator/project manager for the charity says "The craft work the ladies make is absolutely beautiful and I am so pleased that they chose to support the charity in this way. We are extremely grateful for them giving up their time to not only make the crafts, but for going out and selling them, but most importantly for this generous donation. The donation will benefit many people in Herefordshire, who will be able to receive Heartstart how to save a life training as a result."

Loraine would also like to thank the public and local businesses for supporting the charity, by either donating items to use in raffle prizes and materials for the women to use, most of whom have now attended one of the public Heartstart courses.

Anyone can attend a free two hour Heartstart course, or can book a course for their group. At a two hour course participants will learn rescue breaths and chest compressions (CPR), as well as dealing with an unconscious casualty, choking, serious bleeding and heart attack. These are simple skills that can and do save lives.

Details of courses coming up can be found at herefordshireheartstart.org.

The Crafty Ladies are also making up hampers to use as raffle prizes over the summer months. If you can donate a small item to go in the hampers, or any quality material, old cotton reels or buttons please contact Loraine at Herefordshire Heartstart on info@herefordshireheartstart.co.uk or call 0845 6060654.