Magilligan crafters helping others

Members of a Magilligan Community Crafts Group recently presented the Elective Procedure Unit (EPU) at Altnagelvin with bags they had made for use by breast cancer patients.

The bags will be used to help these patients with equipment necessary for their recovery.

Surgical drains can be left in place for up to two weeks, and many people worry about snagging them or are self-conscious about carrying them in public.

The Magilligan group decided to make pretty shoulder bags - 101 of them - into which the drains can be inserted.

Group member, Annie Mary Mullan said the group had heard stocks of bags needed for breast cancer patients post surgery at Altnagelvin were low, and they wanted to help.

“The bags are quite simple to make and when we started it just grew and grew. We’ve since been contacted by other people asking how the bags were made,” said Annie Mary, who added the bags mean women won’t be house bound and they won’t feel self conscious if they’re out and about.

“It is a lovely idea and we’ve told Altnagelvin that we’ll keep in touch with them,” said Annie Mary.

Magilligan Community Crafts meets every Thursday in Magilligan Community Centre.

“We started about three years ago and the group is going strong,” added Annie Mary.