Masks4all Project launched to keep communities safe
ACOMMUNITY has banded together to raise much-needed cash, food, toiletries and face masks for those on the front line of the coronavirus crisis.
Translator Suzanna Cornakova and owners of Czechland grocery store in Gloucester Eva Chroma and Tomas Chromy, teamed up and organised the fundraiser through the city’s Czech and Slovak communities for those working at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
Suzanna has been working in Gloucester for 10 years in the community, and she said that the current pandemic had inspired her to start the ‘Masks4all’ project, and make face masks to keep the city safe.
Organiser Suzanna, who has also sent masks to Slovakia and Czech Republic where it is compulsory to wear one in public, said: “I had been working in Gloucester city for the past 10 years in various roles in community, health and social care and professional roles.
“I decided that we need to keep safe and keep others safe by wearing a mask so I bought a sewing machine, (learnt to use it as I’ve never touched it before) and began making a few hundreds of face masks for our community of Gloucester and family friends.
“We as a strong community also raised funds for A&E staff in Gloucester Hospital and managed to raise nearly £800 in just over a week time in April 2020.”
Asking people to consider wearing a mask she said: “This support is needed in times when so many others are putting themselves on the front line for us all #thankyounhs Remember, these are our heroes and I also want to do my bit by slowing the spread and keeping others safe.
“A face mask to can make you feel confident going to medical appointment or to protect vulnerable or elderly if caring for them or just simply doing your shopping or for any other valid reason.”
She said that although she had had interest in people trying to buy the masks she wasn’t interested in making ‘a financial gain.’
She said: “I’ve had some people wanting to buy masks of me.
“However I don’t wish to be selling masks to make a financial gain.
“I understand you may want to express your gratitude by donating to our little project so I created this donation page.
“The first £500 donated will be going towards the cost of materials for the masks and anything left over or exceeding our goal will be donated to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital again. “Stay home where possible and stay safe, wearing a mask doesn’t mean the restrictions are lifted for you.”
Married couple Eva Chroma and Tomas Chromy supplied the fruit and vegetable boxes for the campaign. Mrs Chroma, who runs the shop in Northgate Street, said: “I, Eva Chroma and my husband Tomas Chromy have been running the food story Czechland in central Gloucester for almost 14 years now.
“During the pandemic we had been trying to be more helpful than usual as we needed to ensure we had enough of food supplies for our customers from Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and
Poland.
“We had thought not only about being sufficient with food supplies but also help the members of general public.
“I and my husband spoke to our friend Katka K, whom supplied us with 300 handmade cotton face mask she made in her spare time.
“Proportion of face masks were given to NHS and we also started a fundraiser together with Suzanna Cornakova within the Czech and Slovak community.
“We raised £741.53 from our Czech and Slovak community in Gloucester city for consumables for NHS staff.
“We purchased various food items, snacks, bottled water, nuts, various fruits, hand and face creams and lip balms to further assist our local NHS staff as we greatly value their hard work in times of crisis.
“We are still making handmade cotton face masks, we purchase material online as it is impossible to get it any other way at present.
“Czechland is open seven days a week, so if anyone need a face mask for various reasons, they are more than welcome to pick one up anytime. Stay safe and healthy everyone.”
Czechland can be found at 112 Northgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1SL.