It all started with a message from my daughter. A nursing friend had put out a call for anyone who could sew fabric bags for wound drains for mastectomy and other post surgery patients.
I had been furloughed from work and my 16 year old granddaughter was in lockdown with me, her exams having been cancelled.
We had time on our hands!
I emailed Rev Liz with a request to the congregation for a sewing machine (on loan) and donations of fabric. At the same time my daughter surprised me with a new sewing machine and in no time at all we had two sewing machines on the go and a shed full of fabric.
Meanwhile the initial call had been met by others and a new request shared by the play specialist at Royal Hospital for Sick Children. Masks were needed for patients and family members specifically for the oncology ward and scrub bags for staff.
We obliged with 50 of each.
Since then the demand has been constant.
Initially we had intended to make scrubs as well. However, we have focussed on scrub bags and masks.
The process is time consuming.
All bags containing donations must be disinfected first.
The contents are then washed and dried (thankfully the weather has been kind).
The fabrics are then cut into size for the masks and scrub bags.
We can then start sewing – masks are quite intricate and the bags need to be strung once made.
The finished items are washed again, ironed and packed in sealed plastic bags!
We have now made over 200 masks and almost 200 scrub bags for family and friends, RHSC, local care and nursing homes and home care services.
Thank you to everyone who donated – your bed linen, curtains and fabrics have been recycled and repurposed!
If you know any individuals or organisations who would like masks or scrub bags, or indeed if you would like us to make these for you, email me at no1mum1@hotmail.com
Mig and Chloe Coupe
