Scrubs up well for our key workers

Asmall dedicated team of Ramsey Rotarians and friends (potential Rotarians?) have produced in excess of 150 sets of Scrubs and nearly 150 Linen Bags for the for the “Love of Scrubs Group”.

These went to the Longsands Hub for onward distribution, also local Care Homes including Florence House and Rose Cottage, the Dialysis Unit at Addenbrooke’s and Ramsey Dental Surgery (who had an urgent need arising from the announcement by the Government of the reopening of dental practices).

Staff were delighted with their scrubs, made a large donation to the JustGiving page and posted a really lovely message on Facebook.

They said: “Thanks to the amazing ladies of Ramsey Rotary club who have kitted us out in the most fantastic work wear”.

And a thank you from Florence House: “The girls at work were delighted with your scrubs, they have all gone. If possible, please may we have some more? And wash bags? - yes please”.

Residents loved them, one said: “They make me feel happy with the lovely patterns and colours.”

In response to their emergency PPE appeal, Peterborough Ortons Rotary donated £500 to East Anglian Air Ambulance helping their crews stay safe as they deliver emergency care. Huntingdon Cromwell purchased £1,000 worth of material for Maxine Welford and her team to make into scrubs for local hospitals.

Members from the Rotary E-Club have been using their time in lockdown to create Scrub-Hubs. Enthusiastic sewing volunteers across Northampton, Kettering, Newport Pagnell and Coventry have produced 85 sets of NHS approved scrubs, laundry bags and crochet face mask extenders for NHS and other frontline key-workers.

With a Rotary grant and donated funds, President Angela Woods set about securing fabric and getting patterns cut and ready. Members, and other helpers, wanting to support our frontline workers, went into action sewing up scrub sets.

Angela said: “Meeting weekly on-line means the Coronavirus has not affected our ability to continue the good work Rotary does through members and volunteers. The response to the scrubs project has been amazing.”

She went on to say: “People from all walks of life often want to volunteer but time and location can be a problem. Our Rotary E-Club offers a modern way, for ordinary people who want to give something back to their communities.” See www.rotaryeclub1070.org for details on how to join in.

The E-Club certainly embraces diversity and innovation. One member who had been poorly with Covid-19 decided to organise a “village scrub hub.” With support from her husband, she set about finding volunteers in her village who were willing to collect, sew and return scrub sets – this team of “Busy Bees” shared the Rotary motto of “Service above Self ”. Quotes from this group include: “It was a challenge but I got to know my sewing machine better”, “I feel I have helped in a small way to provide support for others” and “I learned something new helping to lift my mood knowing the good I am doing!”

With so much concern about the negative impact of the lockdown it is heart-warming to know - just one click away - are thriving friendships, a family ethos, innovative projects and a way of volunteering to help others.