THE man known as the sewing soldier from the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee, is calling on your help in his mission to assist homeless veterans.
Colonel Neil Stace is spearheading Flags of Thanks – a national art project led by Alabaré, a homeless charity supporting veterans. As part of this year’s Armed Forces Day celebrations in Salisbury, the nation has been asked to create customised flags that reflect the gratitude and support for the armed forces community, from those currently serving, to veterans and cadets.
The flags will be displayed at an exhibition at St Thomas’s church in Salisbury’s city centre in June. Afterwards, Neil will transform them into something meaningful or useful, such as sleeping bags, quilts or ponchos to be gifted to homeless veterans.
Neil is aiming for 500 flags and he has already received more than 100 amazing creations, including some from a kids’ workshop on the Wilton patch. The youngest participant was just six and wanted tanks in clouds! Neil now needs your help for a final big push, so whether you are an expert quilter or someone who can use scissors, glue and an iron, get involved.
Instructions, both basic and advanced, are available online.