The hard work of female inmates from Hydebank Wood paid off today when they handed over £3,300 to three charities.

The money was raised from the sale of greetings cards and gifts made by Cottage Industries, a crafts group based at Ash House Female Unit.

The Governor of Ash House, Isobel Millar said the idea behind Cottage Industries was to allow female inmates to harness and use their talents in a positive way.

“It has given them the opportunity to give something back to the community. All of the money raised was from the sale of cards and gifts to staff and prisoners,” she said.

The charities that received a cheque for £1,100 were Race Against Multiple Sclerosis (RAMS), PIPS – a North Belfast-based Suicide Prevention Group and the African Charity for Teaching in Schools (ACTS).

RAMS Manager BJ Beck said the money raised would go towards treating patients with MS.

“I would like to thank all the staff and residents of this establishment who have very kindly raised this amount. This money will go to help a lot of people,” he added.

Gerard McCartan from PIPS was touched that inmates from Hydebank Wood had raised funds to help people suffering on the outside.

“I know that people in here often have a bad reputation but I know that this is not always justified. The money raised here will make so much of a difference to people in the community.”

A spokesman for ACTS said the funds would go towards helping children in a school in the African state of Burundi.

“Just one pound gets a meal for ten people, so this money will be invaluable. It will help more young people to go to school in a country struggling with poverty and warfare.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

Cottage Industries was set up in 2004 to produce cards and crafts to raise funds for charity. In February, it joined with young male offenders to create a new company, Young Enterprise, which encompasses all of the craft work taking place in Hydebank Wood.

A shop selling pottery, jewellery, greetings cards from Young Enterprise has now been set up in Hydebank Wood Visitors Centre.

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