A mother-of-two who creates home-made blankets for bereaved parents across the county is appealing for a helping hand herself.Midge Elliott sews the little quilts for mothers who have lost their babies during birth, or for a premature baby which has not survived.

A mother-of-two who creates home-made blankets for bereaved parents across the county is appealing for a helping hand herself.

Midge Elliott sews the little quilts for mothers who have lost their babies during birth, or for a premature baby which has not survived.

Each creation, called a “Blanket of Love”, has a small butterfly sewn onto it to signify the short life-span of the baby, and the parents are able to take it home when their baby is taken away.

Mrs Elliott, 64, has made 50 since she began in February this year and already supplies to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn, and the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds. But with a helping hand she hopes to expand to other hospitals across the county.

Mrs Elliott, a retired housewife who has two children, Scott, 34 and Rebecca, 32, and lives in Riverside Way in Brandon, said: “It is hard work to supply two hospitals on my own so I am appealing to anyone who is touched by this worthwhile cause to phone me and find out more.

“I don't want to tie anybody down but what I would love to do is have enough committed ladies to supply all the hospitals around us.

“I have to turn down hospitals because I can't do them on my own, and that really gets to me.”

The blankets come in all different sizes and are all quilted in soft colours. They also come with a card explaining why Mrs Elliott makes them.

Patricia Davies, head of midwifery at West Suffolk Hospital, said the staff were extremely grateful for the blankets.

She added: “The women who receive them really appreciate the sentiment, while the blankets have also been well received by our midwifery staff who are pleased to be able to offer the women something positive which will bring them comfort at a difficult time.”

Mrs Elliott, who found out about the quilts from a friend who made them in Scotland, added: “It will be the only personal thing the baby has been near. People can help by donating money or material or their time to make a blanket or two.”

Beth Shannon, paediatric lead nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, added: “This token does provide some comfort to the families of the deceased babies.”

To find out more or to offer help contact Midge Elliott on 01842 813679, or email shelliott@poptart.org.