AN ARTISTIC West Midlands Police employee and her colleagues have crocheted over 150 poppies for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
Lisa Collins kept a watchful eye on her colleagues as the team of budding crafters sewn up their charity efforts by donating the finished products to the British Legion.
The hand crafted creations have been donated to the charity and are being sold from its shops across Coventry and Warwickshire, with funds raised going to support serving men and women, veterans and their families.
Lisa, who studied fashion and specialises in craft and textiles, has been overwhelmed by the support of her colleagues and believes she may have unearthed some untapped skills.
She added: “At first I was a little nervous about how many people would take part but I needn’t have feared.
“We had over 20 people giving up their spare time for the past few months, with at least three people who weren’t even sure what crocheting was before now creating bespoke masterpieces.”
Lisa currently works in the Resource Allocation Dispatcher (RAD) unit.
The team monitor the movement of police units across the region and directs them to calls for help to ensure the swiftest possible response to emergencies.
Members of the team have devoted time at home to the fundraising effort, with some even using breaks at work to finalise their creations.
Sergeant Clark Gardner said: “I think some have found crocheting relaxing and therapeutic.
“It is a pressurised role and colleagues are making important decisions all the time.
“The poppy project has provided some welcome calm after a busy shift.
“However more than anything else I think each of us are incredibly proud and humbled to help such a worthy cause.
“In Coventry we know only too well the devastation that war can bring and we are honoured to do what we can to help those who risk their lives for our nation.”
