SEWING fans have created a giant quilt which is being raffled to help people with Down syndrome and their families.

The quilt, which measures seven feet by seven feet, was created by a Holmes Chapel sewing group to raise funds for the Cheshire Down Syndrome Support group.

The beautiful hand-stitched cover took three years to create by Deidre Thomson, Sue Meyrick, Sue Keen, Sandra Richardson and Stephanie Burgess from the Patchwork Friends of Holmes Chapel.

It is now being raffled by the group in aid of the support group, which helps more than 150 people with Down syndrome and their families in Cheshire.

The lucky winner will be announced on March 21, which is World Down Syndrome Day.

The date is celebrated every year on the 21st day of the third month to represent the fact that people with Down syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21.

Awareness assemblies are being held in Cheshire schools throughout March in celebration, and many children will wear odd socks to school and buy sock-shaped biscuits to help raise funds.

Cheshire Down Syndrome Support Group CEO Julie Duff said: “We cannot thank the Patchwork Friends of Holmes Chapel enough for donating this beautiful quilt.

“They have really put their skills to good use and many will benefit from the funds provided by the sale of raffle tickets.

“This is the largest and most eye-catching raffle prize we’ve ever had.”

Tickets for the quilt raffle cost £1 and can be purchased by contacting the charity at admin@cdssgroup.org.uk.

Cheshire Down Syndrome Support Group is a small local charity dedicated to supporting families, children and young adults with Down’s syndrome throughout Cheshire.

Established in 2007, it is a parent-led group which is entirely self-funded and relies on the generous support and hard work of its many volunteer fundraisers and family groups.

Follow Cheshire Down Syndrome Support Group on Facebook @CDSSGroup and twitter @cdssgroup