Woman creates Black Country flag masks to help charities

Katherine Hill, from Stourbridge, has made the protective coverings after rising demand from shoppers.

Now she is selling them on her website to help raise vital funds for Mary Stevens Hospice, Acorns Children's Hospice, Halas Homes and Dudley Mind.

• See the latest coronavirus news here

The 20-year-old said: "I just gave it a go – I was making some plain ones at first and a couple of people asked if I could put the Black Country Flag on there.

"So I ordered some small flags which I sewed on to the front of the masks and people have been very positive about it.

"I've not had much negative feedback and I'm selling them for £3 each – with a third going to the four charities, split between them."

The business owner said it had been a "crazy time" with demand for the flag increasing in time for Black Country Day on July 14.

She can create around 20 flag masks in a day – with each sewn and washed before used to ensure they're ready to be used.

It comes after a row erupted in the Black Country over the flag which West Midlands Fire were banned from flying at their stations.

Fire chiefs said the flag – which was set to be flown for Black Country Day – could possibly have a "link to slavery" which needed to be investigated.

But the business owner defended the flag, saying it had been a symbol of the area since its introduction in 2012.

She added: "I don't think it was meant to be controversial in any way – I think it's a sign of the Black Country and that's all it's meant to be."

For more information visit https://www.katherinehill.org/