A Ballygally resident has been putting her handicraft skills to good use for a charity close to her heart.

Jeannie Hunter raised £100 for RNIB (the Royal National Institute of Blind people) by hosting an exhibition of her handmade arts and crafts in her front garden.

Jeannie, who is in her 80s and has experienced sight loss herself after being diagnosed with dry macular degeneration a little over a year ago, welcomed visitors to browse her creations, with pieces available to take home in return for donations to the charity.

A former merchant seawoman, Jeannie said: “I’ve always loved to work with my hands, from woodwork, to taking up hobbies like crochet and knitting, and I thought I’d like to do something kind before I leave this world.

RNIB’s Kirsty Campbell receiving from Jeannie Hunter, in her beautiful front garden, a cheque for £100. Jeannie wears a navy jacket with pink flowers, echoing the array of pink, purple, red and blue flowers that can be seen in the garden and hanging baskets behind. Photo provided by RNIB

placeholder image — RNIB’s Kirsty Campbell receiving from Jeannie Hunter, in her beautiful front garden, a cheque for £100. Jeannie wears a navy jacket with pink flowers, echoing the array of pink, purple, red and blue flowers that can be seen in the garden and hanging baskets behind. Photo provided by RNIB

"We did a similar fundraiser for the RNLI and thought we’d try again for RNIB as my sight has deteriorated quite a bit recently. People were free to take whatever they fancied and leave a donation. Every little helps, doesn’t it.”

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RNIB provides support for anyone affected by sight loss, from parents of children diagnosed with a condition affecting their sight, to anyone experiencing a deterioration in their vision in later life. Contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected] .

Kirsty Campbell, PR and communications officer with RNIB said: “We are so grateful to Jeannie for her thought, time and effort, and all those who supported her wonderfully creative fundraiser.

Some of Jeannie’s handmade creations: knitted badger wearing purple jacket and orange waistcoat; soft stuffed Pomeranian dog teddy; diamanté picture of two robins sitting on holly; knitted polar bear with blue scarf, and doll with green and pink ruffle knitted dress. Photo provided by RNIB

"Fundraising like this helps RNIB continue to support blind and partially sighted people and work towards positive change in the lives of the 57,000 people affected by sight loss in Northern Ireland.”