Ann Burrows was celebrating her birthday two years ago when she decided that it was all well and good to enjoy her friends’ company, but why not have a purpose in celebrating?

And so, the Friendship Knitting Group was born.

The group of about 15 people now meet every five weeks to knit squares and scarves and sew them together to make blankets, which they give to charities of their choice.

“We have handed over 105 blankets to organisations in Tamworth,” Mrs Burrows said.

The latest recipients of their generosity were a dozen children at Bullimbal School who are in wheelchairs.

The group donated 12 blankets to relieving principal Brett Pearson for the children at their final meeting of the year.

“We’ve given to charities including Ronald McDonald House, Tamworth Women’s Refuge and Youth InSearch,” Mrs Burrows said.

“I’ve just had to pick the knitting up from my mum, who taught me how to cast on and cast off.

“I really enjoy it and do it while I watch television at night.

“We have some girls who like to sew, and my mum crochets. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to do this for the community.”

Anyone interested in helping can drop wool off at the Old Bell Tower, where Mrs Burrows works.