SEWERS from Wellesbourne have been recognised for their dedication to creating PPE equipment to medics on the frontline.
Wellesbourne Scrubbers was named Openreach Community Connectors Award Winners 2021, after the group was nominated by Kenilworth and Southam MP Jeremy Wright.
Group co-ordinator, Sharon Underhill said: “This is a very proud day for all the volunteers of Wellesbourne Scrubbers. In just 78 days our local village communities showed tremendous generosity, raising over £7,000 so our 65 volunteer Scrubbers could make over 700 sets of scrubs and thousands of headbands and wash bags – all given to frontline medical in our region to help them save lives during this pandemic. We are very thankful to Openreach for recognising our contribution with this award, and of course to Jeremy Wright for nominating us.”
The members – which range from age eight to 82 – are among thousands of ‘scrubbers’ across the UK who put their sewing machines to good use to cover the shortage of PPE provision in medical and care home settings.
Pharmacist Steve Eggleston was delighted to receive his own customised scrubs made from an old pair pf curtains. He said: “Being 6ft 6” and 16 stone, Marion had to make my scrubs especially for me. I call them my ‘train sets’ and they’ve almost taken on a life of their own here at the pharmacy, becoming a regular talking point with our customers. People smile more when they meet a pharmacist wearing scrubs decorated with Thomas The Tank Engine material.
“For all our pharmacy staff, the scrubs supplied by the Wellesbourne Scrubbers continue to play an important role in reducing the risk of transmission and they’ve withstood the punishing washing regime incredibly well. Marion made two sets of scrubs for me, so I always have a clean pair to wear everyday.”
Wellesbourne Scrubber, Marion Allerton recalled: “I laughed when I first contacted Steve last May. He said he was a tall man with long arms, who wanted scrubs which would make him the ‘ best dressed baboon in Kineton’. I got his measurements and decided to brighten them up using a set of children’s curtains that had been donated to me for scrub making. It’s extremely gratifying to see them still in action.”
