Cash boost is sew good for face mask makers
Boost for Polish effort
A Polish cultural group has received a vital funding boost as they sew face masks for frontline health workers.
The money from Engage Renfrewshire will help volunteers at Polonez buy materials for producing cloth face masks.
The cash will pay for fabric, elastic and sewing equipment.
The Polonez group, in Paisley, is part of a wide army of volunteers across the local authority area and Glasgow who have signed up to help make the personal protective equipment ( PPE) for frontline staff.
Masks will also be provided to vulnerable people in the Renfrewshire community and beyond.
Anna Alutu, secretary of Polonez, said: “We’re really grateful for the support from Engage Renfrewshire.
“The face masks are all made by volunteers, some from local Polish communities, who have sewing skills.
“They are then distributed to key workers, such as care providers and delivery drivers, and also to vulnerable people, such as the elderly.
“We’re part of a bigger collaborative effort of many volunteers across Glasgow and Renfrewshire and this funding will be used for purchasing fabrics, elastic and needles for sewing the face masks.”
Alan McNiven, chief executive at Engage Renfrewshire, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this and other similar community initiatives with small funding.
“It’s been such a challenging time for many people, but this type of community response is impressive.
“The Renfrewshire community groups that have come forward to support people during Covid-19 are a real inspiration.
“We would like to acknowledge the face mask sewers and all the volunteers doing a myriad of tasks who are helping during the coronavirus crisis.”
Anyone interested in helping with face mask sewing, visit We Will Sew You a Mask on Facebook.
To register as a volunteer for various roles across Renfrewshire, please visit www. volunteer. engagerenfrewshire.com