Textile students in Huddersfield have been chosen to offer a helping hand to needy people on the other side of their world.
And their efforts are set to be backed by Sarah, Duchess of York, in the town on Tuesday.
The Duchess is a key supporter of a charity that helps badly-abused women in a region of India take control of their lives. Now she is coming to the University of Huddersfield to meet talented design students who have also been inspired by the project and who are working to a design brief she set.
The Women’s Interlink Foundation (WIF) works with young women from West Bengal who have been exposed from an early age to domestic abuse. Many have been trafficked into the sex trade. The Foundation provides the women with accommodation in safe houses, where they are taught skills such as sewing and textile printing. This enables them to produce garments that are sold overseas through an initiative named Key to Freedom, which will enable them to become economically independent.
Students at the University have been producing designs for a range of bathroom accessories that can be made by the Key to Freedom women and the Duchess will pick the ones to go into production.
The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bob Cryan, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students.
“They have been able to work on a live brief to develop designs for The Duchess of York, and they are working to help the young women who have had such a difficult start to life.
“It is a great pleasure for us to be able to help with this very worthy project and to also raise funds for this initiative.”
Key to Freedom began in 2012, after the Duke of York – who is patron of the University of Huddersfield – visited India during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. This was followed by a visit from Sarah, Duchess of York, and her daughter Princess Eugenie, who met with the Indian girls.
The Duchess will also officially open Storthes Hall Park, the community sports complex run by Shelley Community Football Club, while in Huddersfield.
