It has been all hands to the decks for Rotarians in Lancashire who have been supporting a COVID-19 project to provide scrubs for health workers.
The focal point has been the Ribble Valley Scrub hub, which was the idea of Fiona Belcham, the wife of Clitheroe Rotarian, Andy.
Fiona runs the dressmaking shop ‘Patches and Buttons’ in Clitheroe, which has been closed during the lockdown.
When she saw the problems nationwide around supplies of personal protective equipment, Fiona decided to do something about it – and the Ribble Valley Scrub Hub was set up.
The focal point has been the Ribble Valley Scrub hub, which was the idea of Fiona Belcham, the wife of Clitheroe Rotarian, Andy.
Clitheroe Rotary have got involved with Rotarian Philip Naylor and wife Chrissy, along with Clitheroe President, Jenni Schumann, supporting a sewing team of 62, including many Rotarians and their partners.
A slick operation of production and distribution has been established. A series of ‘how to’ videos have also been put together to help volunteers with sewing machines, who were eager to fill their lockdown days with something positive to do.
A ‘GoFundMe’ has also been set up to receive donations for the purchase of materials – which has so far amassed £7,545. Any funds left over once the Scrub Hub closes will be donated to NHS charities.
As a result, 4,072 masks, 465 headbands, 290 sets of scrubs and 316 wash bags have been provided free of charge to health centres, care homes, care charities, and nursing staff.
A limited edition Rotary mask has also been produced using specially printed fabric.
4,072 masks, 465 headbands, 290 sets of scrubs and 316 wash bags have been provided free of charge to health centres, care homes, care charities, and nursing staff.
This has been achieved with 1,684 meters of fabric being sewn together with 2,416 meters of elastic being used.
In Ireland, Dungannon Rotary in County Tyrone has also been working with NHS establishments. The Northern Ireland club has been supplying PPE equipment, masks and hand sanitisers to Roxborough House in Moy and The Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
They also provided fast food for NHS staff to save them time as food packs were compiled. A lot of households are struggling financially and Rotarians have been able to network with others to make a difference.
4,072 masks, 465 headbands, 290 sets of scrubs and 316 wash bags have been provided free of charge to health centres, care homes, care charities, and nursing staff.”
Dungannon Window Company, Ltd, McCloskey International Ltd and Armagh Industrial Bearing Supplies Ltd, all provided funding for supplies and helped with the distribution.
Meanwhile, in the south of England, Sussex Vale Rotary was given an opportunity to help a school in Burgess Hill.
Sheddingdean Primary School approached the club to see if they could use the club gazebo as a temporary classroom.
As all of Sussex Vale’s outside activities have been postponed this summer, and the club gazebo was not in use, they were more than willing to loan this to them.
