TWO DARWEN brothers have made patchwork cushions from their late mothers clothing so they can always hold her close.

Tom, 10, and Jack Mayoh, 9, lost their mum Louise in July 2018 after a three-year battle with breast cancer. Louise died at the hospice aged just 39 – but the family have continued to be supported by the hospice.

Creative hospice staff have also helped the boys to created hand casts of their mum and memory boxes and they are currently working on a 3D picture frame of special keepsakes.

Louise Duxbury, has led the new pilot service called Creative Connections, said: "The boys have been coming most Wednesday afternoons after school. They have cut out all the pieces from their mum’s clothing, specially chosen by their dad, and hand sewn them together.

"The sessions have given the boys the opportunity to share happy memories about their mum and hear about stories of when their mum was younger.

"The boys have already said their new pillows will take pride of place on their beds."

Louise had a flair for interior design as well and loved making pillows and working with fabrics - making the sons patchwork cushions even more of a memory of their mother.

Tom and Jack have raised over £30,000 for East Lancashire hospice since their mum died. In October last year they set themselves the fundraising target of £1000 by pledging to wear their shorts all winter.

After appearing on national tv, radio stations and regular appearances in the press, they had to keep increasing their target to keep up with donations they were receiving.

Louise's mum Mary Slack is a tailoress who worked with the boys to help make the keepsakes. She said: “We have all found it very therapeutic. It was very beneficial for the boys and they have made something that they can keep forever. Everybody involved has been so supportive.”