An annual campaign led by Grant Shapps MP has come to an end a project that was held with support by members of the local community for the Wel Hats campaign.
This marks near completion of a six-month scheme promoted and run by Grant’s team to help disabled children in Afghanistan, some of whom were injured during recent conflicts in the country.
The scheme is in its second year after being launched last year by Grant himself and his team to knit woolly hats for troops stationed in Afghanistan to help keep warm during the bitter winter months.
However this year efforts have been helped recently with Welwyn Garden City charity Hertfordshire Action on Disability (HAD) joining forces with the Wel Hats initiative in the summer to provide the children with woollen hats to keep them warm during the winter months.
Annabelle Waterfield and Paul Bishop from HAD, were joined by Nick Brown from the Wel Hat Chamber and Welwyn Hatfield Times Editor Terry Mitchenson, who were all on hand to help pack the final hats with Grant.
It's been a real community effort with locals young and old supporting the cause. For example Bishop's Hatfield and Onslow St Audrey's schools have knitted 400 hats between them and local businesses, via the Welwyn Hatfield Chamber of Commerce and its Chairman Nick Brown, are funding the postage costs of sending the hats to Afghanistan which will happen within the next week.
Plans to have the Wel Hats scheme back in 2015 are already underway.
HAD provide a number of key services for older and disabled people including mobility equipment, accessible transport and driving lessons and assessments.
For more information visit www.hadnet.org.uk
DOA founded in 2004 helps to develop advocacy and awareness activities and research for people with disability throughout Afghanistan.
For more information visit www.daoafghanistan.org/