How members of a Wearside WI are helping unite communities in lockdown

It looked like Washington Concord WI’s plans to lay a wreath at the Miners’ statue in Concord to commemorate VE Day would need to be cancelled due to Covid-19.

But the group rallied round and knitted a wreath of poppies for a scaled down service, conducted by Rev Julie Wing, in honour of the milestone event, which was attended by Sunderland City Council leader Graeme Miller and his wife Fiona.

Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington, Sunderland West and Shadow Veterans' Minister, sent a message to the group saying: "I am sorry that I am not able to be with you in person today to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day.

“Where there's a will there is a way in the WI."

The WI was established in 1915 to give women a voice and to be a force for good in the community.

As in the Second World War, members of the WI today have been helping to keep the community spirit going and have been reaching out a helping hand to those in need during lockdown.

Margaret Carter, federation chairman of Tyne and Wear South Federation of WI’s, said: “The WI was heavily involved in the war effort on the home front, from organising the evacuation of vulnerable children and adults, jam making and food preserving, growing produce, knitting for troops and women in occupied countries, salvage collecting and raising vast soups of money to buy ambulances.

“In the current crisis many members are key workers, nurses, teachers, police officers, cleaners, carers, retail workers and of course many are working from home and home schooling their children as well.

“Those confined to home and not able to participate outside their homes have also been active. Across the Federation many have been sewing scrubs bags for health professionals, making masks and mask retainers for those who need them , knitting/crocheting hearts for those families who are tragically separated from loved ones and unable to attend care homes and funerals.

“Some members have continued with their craft work selling items and donating profits to NHS charities. One WI baked hundreds of cakes and scones to be distributed in Hope and Glory boxes to living at home and care projects.

“Many members are shopping for others and keeping in contact through networks of telephone calls to ensure that no one they know is at risk.

“As always the WI members have made huge efforts to contribute to the nation’s well being.”

It comes as the Echo is running its #ActsofKindness campaign to highlight all the amazing work being done in our communities at this time.

If you know of any great work being done on Wearside during this difficult time you can contact us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or contact the newsdesk direct on [email protected]

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