West Yorkshire Federation

During the past weeks, WI's within the West Yorkshire Federation have made a tremendous effort to support their communities in a number of ways. We are very proud to highlight some of the actions below.

Wilsden WI has made over 400 pillowcase scrub bags for Bradford Royal Infirmary, Lynfield Hospital, Airedale Hospital in Keighley and the West Yorkshire Ambulance Service. The below picture is of headbands in the making, 50 have already been delivered to local hospitals.

Handmade head bands


Billing Belles WI has been busy sewing scrub bags for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and local Ambulance stations. They have also been using a member’s 3D printer to print masks for LGI, St James Hospital, Bradford Royal Infirmary and Wharfdale Hospital.

A woman holding up two handmade scrub bags


Scarcroft WI

The cancellation of this year's London Marathon has had a devastating impact on income for many charities. To help organisations that would have benefited from this event, the "2.6 challenge" was set up, allowing individuals to fundraise in a variety of ways. One of them is Kathy Jones, Secretary of Scarcroft WI, who would normally be playing the organ at church on a Sunday morning. Instead, she recently played hymns on her piano for 2.6 hours to raise money for Ataxia UK charity.

Kathy playing the piano


Numerous other WIs of the West Yorkshire Federation have supported our frontline workers by sewing scrub bags or PPE such as face masks.

Scrub bags made by Farnley Tyas WI

Scrub bags and face masks

PPE made by Baildon Belles WI

Haworth & District WI made scrub bags for Yorkshire Air Ambulance staff

Hebden Bridge WI

Clayton Village WI


Ilkley Bluebelles WI made Easter/Spring cards which were given to residents at a local care home. They also donated lots of hand cream for the staff at the Bradford Royal Infirmary A&E department.

Cards decorated with butterflies and flowers


Kippax WI is helping at these difficult times by knitting 2 identical hearts: one is given to a patient and the other one to their loved one, as visiting is restricted.

Knitted hearts