A DANCE teacher from Croft has joined the Sixty Million Trebles initiative to help refugees across the world.

Cindy Kelly was inspired to take part in February after hearing about the campaign to create individual blankets from a friend of hers.

The 52-year-old, who teaches eastern European dance, said: “I am really pleased that we are going to help people in need.

“Sometimes you can feel helpless with everything that is going on in the world.

“I no longer wanted to feel like that which is why I joined.”

Sixty million is the number of refugees in need of help according to figures published by the United Nations in 2015. 

A treble is a term for a crochet stitch, so each stitch represents one of these lives. 

By the start of June, the group had already reached 42 million trebles in the form of more than 4,000 blankets.

But more are still needed to reach the target.

To encourage others to sign up, a ‘hook-up’ will be held at Black Sheep Wools in Culcheth on Saturday, July 8 from 10am to 12pm.

Cindy, who has only been crocheting for the past four years, added: “The aim of the hook-up is to meet up with people already crocheting blankets for the project and to encourage other people to get involved.

“We plan to have wool, crochet hooks and knitting needles available so people can crochet or knit a six inch square which can be joined later into a blanket.” 

Both beginners and professionals are welcome to attend.

Any donations of wool in particular double knitting, 4mm crochet hooks or 4mm knitting needles are needed.

For details on the scheme visit facebook.com/groups/sixtymilliontrebles or email Cindy on cindy.kelly@coopmembers.co.uk.