Scrubs Northumberland - appeal for skilled sewers to help kit out NHS and key workers

Scrubs Northumberland has been formed to produce scrubs for local hospitals, but it has issued an appeal for more helpers – and sewing machines – as demand grows.

Its volunteers are already producing kit for Wansbeck General Hospital, the Northumbria at Cramlington, St George’s in Morpeth and the Nightingale North East.

The next phase is support for care home workers.“We’re desperate for sewers off all abilities,” said Scrubs Northumberland coordinator Joy Rutter.

“We’ve now got 62 volunteers and raised £900, but we’ve got 500m of cotton arriving this week so we still need more sewers.”

Some of the volunteers have been hand-sewing so they would really appreciate extra sewing machines.

“We’re also providing hairbands, masks and wash-bags so even a basic, flat sewing machine is all you need,” said Joy.

Scrubs Northumberland is part of the national Scrub Hub effort.

“There’s been a brilliant response so far,” said Joy, who owns Ashington dress shop, GR Design. “We’re overwhelmed with the amount of offers we’ve had from people volunteering their time.

“A few of us started it off in Linton Colliery after hearing about the Scrub Hub but it’s now spread across Northumberland and we’ve even got volunteers from the TV and film industry and costume makers from Beamish.”

Patterns and fabric are being delivered to volunteers in some areas and posted out to others.

Volunteers can sign up by email to [email protected]

Donations to support the purchase of more fabric can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/scrub-hub-northumberland

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