A SMALL group of women known as the Crafty Ladies have just come to the end of their year's fundraising for two charities, including local charity Herefordshire Heartstart.

The ladies presented another cheque for £450 to end a year’s crafting efforts for the charity. They presented a cheque to Herefordshire Heartstart in the spring for £800. A further £22.50 worth of jams/chutneys was sold at courses, which brings the total raised for the charity to an amazing £1272.50.

Throughout the year the six crafty ladies made and sold a beautiful array of hand-made crafts. The ladies sold these at local craft fairs, shops and businesses.

Loraine Coleman, co-ordinator/project manager for the charity says “The ladies have done an incredible job over the year and spent many hours creating and selling their beautiful craft work.

"I am delighted that they chose to fundraise for Herefordshire Heartstart and have supported us in this way. Every penny stays in Herefordshire and helps us to continue teaching these vital skills throughout the county. As a result of their fundraising efforts more people will be able to receive Heartstart's how to save a life training.”

Anyone can attend a free two-hour Heartstart course, or can book a course for their group. 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 on our website www.herefordshireheartstart.org. If you would like to attend a public course or are interested in a course for your group, would like to volunteer, or could help by organising a fundraising event to support the charity, please email info@herefordshireheartstart.co.uk or call 0845 6060654 or write to Herefordshire Heartstart, PO Box 305, Hereford HR1 9JD