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Wednesday, 15 April 2020 17:33

Sewing enthusiasts helping the NHS fight coronavirus

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Marjoleine Yoshida with one of her home-produced scrubs Marjoleine Yoshida with one of her home-produced scrubs
High Barnet volunteers who love to sew are joining the nationwide effort to produce protective clothing for hospital and care home staff tackling the coronavirus pandemic. Scrubs -- the pyjama-style clothes worn by medics -- face masks and laundry bags are among the items being sent to a hub in Kentish Town which then offers additional supplies to hospitals, care homes and hospices across north and north-west London.

Marjoleine Yoshida, of Granville Road, High Barnet, told her local WhatsApp group that she intended to start cutting out and sewing up scrubs and laundry bags to help meet the national shortage.

She was immediately offered help and within days was receiving donations of surplus sheets, pillowcases, duvets from residents in nearby streets.

She has already produced two sets of scrubs, fifteen laundry bags and is now hard at work turning out face masks.

"My main problem is getting hold of enough material. it has to be capable of being washed at 60 degrees or more in order to kill germs, including coronavirus, so it's cotton or cotton-polyester mix."

Mrs Yoshida urged other residents who wants to help to contact the Kentish Town hub -- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - to see whether they could assist in either making protective clothing or offering spare material.

"I've already supplied one scrub to a receptionist at a doctor's surgery and was so pleased to be able to do that.

"The laundry bags are especially important because once the scrub has been used it can be placed straight into the bag and then put into the wash without having to be touched again."

She was finding it easier to make face masks because they could be produced from left over material.

Protective clothing is having to be changed more frequently in order to stop the spread of the virus.

Voluntary community groups across the country have combined together to establish a nationwide network -- www.scrubhub.org.uk -- and they are doing all they can to get scrubs and other protective gear to NHS staff struggling to get sufficient supplies.

The Kentish Town hub is one of 12 established across Greater London and it is urging all care homes, hospitals and medical practices -- as well as hospitals -- to let them know if they need additional protective clothing or laundry bags.

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