Blackpool sewers launch fundraising mission to ensure frontline NHS workers scrub up well

A Blackpool artist and a team of fundraisers have helped raise nearly £3,000 which will be spent on materials to help make scrubs for local front-line NHS workers.
More than 200 sewers have volunteered their services to the Fylde Scrub HubMore than 200 sewers have volunteered their services to the Fylde Scrub Hub
More than 200 sewers have volunteered their services to the Fylde Scrub Hub

A dedicated bunch of sewing enthusiasts have been working every day, stitching scrubs, just over a fortnight after Gillian Wood launched the Fylde Coast Scrub Hub in a bid 'to do her bit' in support of the NHS workers who have faced a scrubs shortage due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gillian's partner Martyn Coyne will also be putting his feet footward to help with the cause, running a half marathon, in their back garden in Lingfield Road, Fleetwood this weekend.

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The fundraising mission has already smashed it's original target of £1,500.

Gillian, a textile artist who has enjoyed a career in TV and film across Europe, said, “I was wondering what I could do because I felt a bit helpless being at home and seeing the NHS staff, including friends and family members, not having access to protection gear.

"Having worked in film and TV, I have a lot of friends in the costume industry and I saw some of them around the country doing their bit, so I decided to utilise my contacts and experience and start a scrub hub here on the Fylde Coast.

“It's entirely voluntary and we are working from donations only, so we need all the help we can to be able to sew scrubs for NHS workers across Blackpool, Fylde, and Preston."

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Since it's inception a fortnight ago the Hub has been inundated with more than 200 volunteer sewers offering their services for the NHS.

Volunteer sewers have been making up to 10 sets of scrubs per day from the charity funded materialVolunteer sewers have been making up to 10 sets of scrubs per day from the charity funded material
Volunteer sewers have been making up to 10 sets of scrubs per day from the charity funded material

Gillian added orders have flooded in and scrubs and scrub bags have been distributed to hospitals and medics across Lancashire, including Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Royal Preston Hospital, Chorley Hospital and Lancaster Infirmary as well as local GP surgeries and care homes.

Gillian added: "The community of people sewing has been amazing, people working night and day to get the scrubs out.

"The way our community is pulling together to help protect those fighting coronavirus is amazing.

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"From all the offers of help, the kind donations and floods of messages I’ve read. It has been amazing. To think a week and a half ago we had no money, now we have more than £2,500 and have been busy making and sending out scrubs for NHS front-line workers.”

IT Manager Martin has completed a number of running challenges including the London MarathonIT Manager Martin has completed a number of running challenges including the London Marathon
IT Manager Martin has completed a number of running challenges including the London Marathon

Martyn, 41, originally from Lytham, completed the London Marathon in 2018 and is now encouraging people to donate to the hub by offering to run a half marathon in his backyard.

The IT manager who works for Submarine Manufacturing & Products based in Kirkham, hopes to complete the half marathon in under three hours on Saturday April 25– the day before the London Marathon was due to take place before it was postponed to October.

He said: “We want to thank everyone for their generosity by helping us to support NHS staff with scrubs.

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"I find it shocking that brave NHS staff who are on the front line in the fight against Coronavirus are lacking basic equipment such as scrubs. That’s why I want to play a part and help plug the gap in the short term.

Martin Coyne will run 1800 shuttles in his back yard in Fleetwood for the causeMartin Coyne will run 1800 shuttles in his back yard in Fleetwood for the cause
Martin Coyne will run 1800 shuttles in his back yard in Fleetwood for the cause

“Doing 13.1 miles in the back garden which is 1800 shuttle runs is going to be a hard task but I am looking forward to the challenge and hopefully this will enable the wonderful volunteers at the Fylde Coast Scrub Hub to sew more scrubs for those who need them across the health and social care sectors!”

To donate visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/blackpool-and-north-lancs-scrub-hub?fbclid=IwAR3-K2IT0b7sGfMBAda4uG54Itp3NeSSD9MI5gPK8Alyr9tNTLqhg-jdqL4For more information about the Fylde Coast Scrub Hub please visit www.facebook.com/FCScrubHubIn order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

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