Birmingham based charity, the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, has been announced as the chosen charity for Wool@J13 - the national outdoor wool festival which is returning to the Midlands this May.

'Wool@J13', which takes place at Penkridge, just off junction 13 of the M6, promises a weekend of wool workshops, spinning demonstrations, sheep shearing, a hat exhibition, live music, street food and plenty of wool themed shopping. Organisers were inspired to support CLDF by one of their exhibitors, Lisa Harland whose nine year old son Callum has a rare liver disease. The show’s creative director, Ingrid Wagner, said:

“Lisa’s business ‘For the Love of Yarn’ supplies beautiful yarns and we were touched to see that her ‘Mummy and Me’ sock kits were designed and dyed by her son Callum to raise funds for CLDF.

“Lisa told us about the support she and her family have received from the charity since the devastating diagnosis of Callum’s condition and we were keen to get involved too.

“As well as holding a raffle for a spectacular cake baked for us by Kat’s Kitchen of Manchester, we shall be maintaining the sock theme with a special Sock Fashion Show. The audience will find out why wool is the fibre kindest to feet and see an array of wonderful hand knitted socks which are going to be presented for us by the Stafford Steppers musical theatre and dance group who just live to dance for charity-based functions. It will be fun way of supporting a little known and very worthwhile cause and a great fit all round.”

Alison Taylor, Chief Executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation added: “CLDF is the only UK charity dedicated to fighting all childhood liver diseases, by providing information and emotional support, funds for research and a voice for all those affected.

"In order to do this however, we rely almost entirely on voluntary donations, so we are delighted to hear that Lisa and Callum have inspired the organisers of Wool@J13 to support us in this way. It sounds a great way of raising awareness and funds and we wish them all a fabulous weekend.”

Wool@J13 will take place at Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge on May 12th and 13th, from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. For further information visit the events website.