SCRAP material is being recycled to help with the treatment of child cancer patients.
Wollaton Women's Institute and Playworks have teamed up to make special "wiggly bags" after an appeal from the children's oncology ward at the Queen's Medical Centre.
Every child needs one of these bags throughout their treatment – they hold the central line which is used to give medicine and blood, keeping it safe and helping to prevent infection.
Ellen Smith, resource development manager at Playworks' Scrapstore, said: "It's great that we can take companies' waste and put it to such a good cause.
"What the ladies do in making these bags is incredible and it makes a big difference to the children."
The line is inserted into a child's chests and stays in until treatment has ended, usually after 18 months.
When the line is not in use, it can be curled up into the bag, which takes the weight off it and stops it from getting tugged and dirty.
Each child has five bags and they are washed every day, so they need replacing regularly.
Eileen Kearsley and members of her WI group decided to make bags after receiving a letter from the hospital.
Mrs Kearsley, 63, from Wollaton, said: "We have made bigger bags in the past for the Breast Cancer Ward, so I knew we could do this as well. We made 100 to start with and it just went from there. Now, we have made more than 850 in almost a year."
Mrs Kearsley has been writing to other WIs in Nottingham and now has more than 40 people contributing. Bandana bib company It's A Bibble in Wollaton has donated materials and the WI also receive a large amount from Scrapstore.
Linda Percival, owner of It's A Bibble, was keen to help after hearing what the group do.
The 58-year-old said: "Its brilliant what they do and to see them make good use out of material we don't need."
Mrs Kearsley delivers the bags to children at the hospital.
She said: "It's like Christmas for them and they love the new designs that we are able to make."
Playworks run Scrapstore out of a warehouse in Alfred Street North, Nottingham, and it is full of all sorts, from plastic and paper to wool and fake fur.
Ellen Smith, 32, says that the charity, which has been running for more than 30 years, benefits everyone involved.
She added: "Companies save money by getting their waste reduced, the ladies get material for their bags and we get money to run our play schemes throughout Nottingham."
The store is holding an open day on Saturday to give people a chance to discover its treasure trove of recycled arts and crafts materials, which are helping to make a big difference all round.
