An Aberystwyth care worker has scooped a top prize for her poppy display.

Creating a display of hand-knitted poppies to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War helped clinch MHA Hafan y Waun care home senior carer Rita Thomas an award from the charity which runs the home.

Rita was winner of the Project or Innovation of the Year award in the Methodist Home’s (MHA) Outstanding Service Contribution and Recognition (OSCAR) Awards which recognise the hard work and dedication of staff and volunteers at the charity’s services across Britain.

Back in 2018, she set herself a challenge to knit 100 poppies to commemorate the centenary of the Great War, getting many residents and the local community involved.

The project grew and a total of 1,169 poppies were knitted and displayed in the home.

Home manager Mandy Pilcher was one person who nominated Rita for the award. She said: “It was a very beautiful way of getting people together.

"It was amazing to see the poppies arrive from all over the country with warming stories from the people who had created them.

"I don’t think anyone could have imagined that we would have had the response we did to Rita’s poppy project.”

Rita said: “The poppy project was amazing and I am delighted that it has been recognised in this award."

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