The work of Craft Aid International has received a practical boost from Otley Lions.

The Otley group was keen to help after hearing about the work of the charity, which provides training and experience for people with disabilities at its centres in Harrogate and Horsforth.

So it paid for the purchase of a sewing machine and two Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machines, which are used to produce greetings cards, for Craft Aid International’s Horsforth workshop.

Otley Lions’ president Steve Bellerby and publicity officer Patrick McCauley recently enjoyed a visit to the Harrogate centre to meet some of its clients and see them at work producing everything from mosaic mirrors to felt clothing.

Craft Aid uses all of its profits to support the Neema Craft Centre in Tanzania, which employs more than 100 disabled people – who find it hard to find employment due to a social stigma about disability in the country – to produce hand-made craft goods.