Family effort to create laundry bags to protect NHS staff

Angela Hebblethwaite, 74, from South Shore, and daughter Michelle Hebblethwaite, 48, from Thornton, started making laundry sacks for NHS workers after a request from Angela's daughter-in-law, who works in the SWAN end-of-life care team at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Angela, a retired seamstress, sews the bags using bedding and pillowcases donated by people across the Fylde coast, which is collected by Michelle practising social distancing guidelines.

Angela said: "My son works at Royal Preston Hospital as an operations technician and his wife works for the NHS too. My daughter in law asked me to make them both a couple of laundry sacks so they can put their clothes in them when they return home from work, to go straight into the washing machine.

"This will help to prevent cross contamination, and I thought it was a brilliant idea and so I offered to make them some more so they could hand to their colleagues.

"Michelle then came up with the idea to supply them to as many NHS staff and carers as possible. The amount of requests coming in is astounding. We have made around 700 sacks so far."

Michelle, who collects all donated materials for the bags, said: "I'm very strict with the social distancing and hygiene, everything I touch is washed at high temperatures and I wash my hands after coming into contact with everything.

"I'm a self-employed cleaner, but now with all this time on my hands I wanted to do something to help.

"We need the NHS staff to stay safe, for their sake and for ours."

The laundry sacks have also been distributed to hard-working paramedics at Blackpool Ambulance station on Parkinson Way.

David Rigby, sector manager for North West Ambulance Service's West sector, said on Twitter: "Michelle and Angela have been busy making end of shift uniform bags that can go straight into the washer to prevent cross contamination.

"Once more our community coming to our aid. Together we will beat this virus."

A total of four machinists are now working hard to make as many bags as possible, but Michelle and Angela are asking as many people as possible to get involved.

If you are able to sew bags, or donate bedding, pillow cases or piping cord, contact Michelle on 07715902465.

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