MEMBERS of a Bramhope church have been busy creating 'Bags of Fun' for children using a local foodbank.

St Giles Church in Bramhope supports a number of charities including PAFRAS (Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers). Food and toiletries donated by the parishioners are collected and taken to St Aidan's Church in Roundhay, the support and distribution centre for the charity.

Now, after being inspired by an idea in the Arts Society magazine, they are also inspiring creativity in children, with the help of generous donations by local businesses.

A church spokesperson said: "There are always many mothers and children waiting for help and food parcels and, when times are financially hard, anything connected with creativity and the arts is naturally is of a very low priority for families.

"St Giles Social Action Committee and Monday Night Creativity Group were inspired by an Arts Society initiative in Kings Lynn and decided to make Bags of Fun for the children of those using the food bank."

Jacquie Howard who first found the idea in the Arts Society magazine added: "We found a pattern for cotton bags and the idea of making and filling them was taken up with enthusiasm by the groups.

"Each brightly coloured bag is full of creative materials, pencils, crayons, drawing paper and craft packs purchased by the groups. Sinclairs of Otley generously donated 36 children's sketch books. We had originally thought of the bags as Christmas Gifts but discussing the bags with Karen Pearce, Director of PAFRAS, we realised that the need was there 365 days a year. People often have to wait a long time for assistance, so the sooner the children have something to make them smile the better.”

The bags being delivered to PAFRAS - left to right Chris Webster, Drop In Co-ordinator, Yasmin Hussain, DV Supporter and Jacquie Howard The bags being delivered to PAFRAS - left to right Chris Webster, Drop In Co-ordinator, Yasmin Hussain, DV Supporter and Jacquie Howard (Image: submitted)

On Monday Jacquie had the pleasure of delivering 36 Bags of Fun to the grateful team at PAFRAS. The Social Action Committee is looking forward to hearing how the bags are received, and to following this up with other ideas to support the people and children who come to them for help.