The Sunset Trust was set up by Audrey Dean in April 1995 to assist South West Quilters members to participate in the Group’s activities who would otherwise not be able to because of financial difficulties, by covering, in part or in full, the costs of workshop, exhibition attendance and membership fees.

Audrey Dean’s proposal was that a small committee would administer the Trust and absolute discretion would be observed in dealing with each application, which could be put by an individual member in need of assistance, or by a fellow member on his or her behalf.

In addition the more sympathetic and social role of the Trust is sending cards of greetings and good wishes, or condolence, along with floral gifts.

Since the forming of the Trust and successful fund raising the initial proposal of assistance has been extended to include bursaries to aspiring young quilters as and when funds are available in amounts agreed by the Sunset Trust committee. This has been very successful giving the students much needed funds to draw on. In return they might bring their work to show us and give a short talk on their journey into textiles and their plans for the future. While others have sent their story along with photographs of their work to be included in our quarterly magazine. These have proved to be fascinating and gives us a much needed link with the younger generation of sewers.

More recently the Sunset Trust has been able to obtain some sewing machines and given them as well as fabric pieces to craft groups in several primary schools encouraging young children to learn sewing skills beyond hand stitching,

The funds for the Sunset Trust are raised by special activities held during the AGM and Christmas meeting of South West Quilters. If anybody has unwanted quilting items including books and fabric, do get in touch with us. We will do our best to make arrangements for collection at a mutually convenient time and place in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.