Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew is urging local people to back a project to give a warm welcome to the world’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes when they descend on London this year.

The Quilts4London project plans to give each Olympic and Paralympic athlete a hand-made pennant to take home with them. The project has already received – or been promised - 11,000 pennants, but they need another 3,000 to meet the target of 14,700.

The project was founded by Irene Heathcote and is led jointly by Irene and Catherine Hill and has captured the imagination of people from all round the country. It has been officially recognised as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

Project Leader, Catherine Hill, said:
“Our current prediction is that we need about 3,000 pennants to meet our target. For example, if every school round the country made just one pennant to represent their school, we would easily make that target. We’ve had pennants from a wide range of organisations for example U3A, sports clubs, needlework groups and, numerous individuals. We would welcome any support.”

Stuart Andrew MP said:
“This is a truly mammoth project that started from an idea by a group of quilters. What an inspirational idea for a personal welcome for every participant in the Olympic and Paralympic games. I urge anyone who can to help Quilts4London meet their target. There is still time.”

The closing date is 15th February.”

The pennants will be exhibited around the country in the lead up to the games.

For more information visit www.quilts4london.org.uk or http://quilts4london.typepad.com/blog/