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Coronavirus Kent: Ashford, Dover and Folkestone sewers make hundreds of scrubs for NHS staff

Kind-hearted sewers are working round the clock to turn miles of material into hundreds of scrubs for NHS workers.

About 1,500 people from across Ashford, Dover and Folkestone have signed up to a dedicated Facebook group, where they have pledged to craft protective clothing for medics working on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sewing volunteer Daniella modelling scrubs she has made. Picture: Melissa Dawkins
Sewing volunteer Daniella modelling scrubs she has made. Picture: Melissa Dawkins

The Ashford, Dover and Folkestone Scrubbers group initially launched with the aim of making gear for staff at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

But it has since been approached by other local care providers, and is now making scrubs for a range of sites including Dover's Buckland Hospital, as well as GP surgeries and "hot sites" that are dealing with patients exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms.

The group currently have orders for more than 800 sets of scrubs, 600 face masks, and almost 300 of both scrubs hats and wash bags.

Support for the project has ballooned, as its fundraising page has raked in almost £5,000 to be spent on fabric and materials.

Spokesman Melissa Dawkins, director of Craftship Enterprise CIC in Ashford, said: "In total we have bought nearly 3km of fabric, 600m of tape and loads of thread with our fundraised money.

Melissa sewing scrubs in Ashford. Picture: Melissa Dawkins
Melissa sewing scrubs in Ashford. Picture: Melissa Dawkins

"Our small team has cut fabric, packed and delivered fabric packs to more than 100 sewers comprising enough to sew 346 sets of scrubs.

"We have a new 110 keen sewers awaiting their new fabric packs, offering to make a further 378 sets.

"We need to raise a bit more money to make sure we can buy the fabric to get these orders completed. If you know any sewers please ask them to join our Facebook group and get involved.

"Special thanks to all of those people who have donated money into the effort to sew scrubs for the NHS.

"We have been fortunate enough to have had 100 A0 sewing patterns donated by councillor Dara Farrell to our cause - a big thank you for that.

Sarah sewing scrubs for the NHS. Picture: Melissa Dawkins
Sarah sewing scrubs for the NHS. Picture: Melissa Dawkins

"A mega thanks to those who are donating their time to sewing, delivering and collecting - every moment truly helps keep our key workers protected."

Donate to the project by visiting its Gofundme page.

To visit the group's Facebook page, click here.

Care providers wishing to request supplies should fill out a form by clicking here.

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