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Apr 2020

Last Updated: 19/04/2020

An army of volunteers mobilises to make scrubs for Harrogate medical staff

by Vicky Carr

| 19 Apr, 2020

The Harrogate Scrubbers has launched in response to a shortage of PPE -with the aim of making 700 scrubs for medical staff

Harrogate Scrubbers gained 200 Facebook followers and raised more than £4,500 in its first 24 hours of existence. The group was formed in response a the nation wide shortage of scrubs and has committed to make 700 scrubs for staff working in the Harrogate area to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The project is being organised by Fran Taylor (above) , a teacher at St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate, in conjunction with the Foundation Trust that runs Harrogate District Hospital. Fran is coordinating fabric orders, pattern printing and delivery of the finished items from home.

"‘The community response has been genuinely humbling, with offers of help from people stuck at home, community groups, local companies and professional sewing groups. It has created a team atmosphere and real community spirit, actually giving people a purpose and the ability to feel that they are supporting the NHS both through staying at home, but also doing something productive while they are there"

Yesterday Harrogate District Hospital made an appeal for community help in sourcing gowns after a national shortage- saying it needed to plan ahead to ensure supply and particularly needed long sleeve, water proof gowns.

A fundraiser was set up online with support coming from individuals as well as organisations including guesthouse association Accommodation Harrogate, and estate agents, Verity Frearson.

Earlier this week, Fran found herself borrowing the keys to her church in order to have the floor space to roll out, measure and cut the fabric. Once cut, it was parcelled up with patterns – printed by Enid Taylor on Cold Bath Road – and sent out to the volunteers.

"There's really fantastic community support," she said. "Any enthusiastic beginner can come and help us. We're always looking for people to come and sew and support us with organising and getting supplies to our drop-off point."

Local businesses are involved too in supplying fabric. Harrogate interior design firm Furnish & Fettle are providing over 800m of fabric and getting the team to join in with sewing and deliveries.

Owner Eleanor Goddard said, ‘We are delighted to be able to do something to support the NHS and utilise the supplies we have in stock. This is a brilliant way for us to give something back and thank all those on the frontline.’

White Rose Sewing in Harrogate are also supporting the scheme and have offered to help with supplying some of the materials as has M&M Fabrics in Leeds's Kirkgate market.

The volunteers will make scrubs, laundry bags, scrub caps and waterproof gowns.

"There's lots of people who are at home more than they would like to be and maybe who have got extra time on their hands because of being furloughed and that's a real worry for them," Fran said. "Being able to keep busy is good for their mental health and it also helps people to feel connected."

Can you help?

The good news is you can help even if you can't sew..Roles and items The Harrogate Scrubbers need:

People who can sew both scrubs and bags to put them in

People able to deliver and collect the fabric and scrubs

Donations of money to help buy the fabric and accessories

Donations of plain lightweight polycotton fabric or new sheets

Volunteers to cut the fabric into packs and prepare them

Printers to print the patterns to go in the packs

To donate, visit: https://tinyurl.com/harrogatescrubbers Join the Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/harrogatescrubbers Alternatively, contact Fran Taylor directly harrogatescrubbers@gmail.com