Army of volunteers in Clitheroe stitch together to make scrubs for NHS

A team of 60 amazing volunteer sewers has come together to make hospital uniforms and personal protective equipment for NHS heroes and key workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Ribble Valley Scrub Hub was launched in April after a call out on Facebook in response to local key workers needing scrubs and sewers who were willing to stitch for them. The fantastic network has been organised and coordinated by local resident, Fiona Belcham, who owns Patches and Buttons in Clitheroe.

Speaking about her initiative to help, she explained: "Almost immediately I was inundated with willing volunteers and I very quickly found myself managing a team of over 60 home sewers all geared up to produce made-to-order scrubs, washbags, facemasks and comfort headbands."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ribble Valley Scrub Hub supported by Andy Belcham, Jenni Schumann and Philip Naylor - all members of Clitheroe Rotary and the amazing Chrissy Naylor and Gemma Bush, has been firing on all cylinders ever since.

Fiona added: "Our aim is to provide entirely free scrubs for NHS and critical care key workers across the Ribble Valley and East Lancashire. In just six weeks we have raised over £6,000 enabling our amazing sewing team to make and distribute over 100 sets of scrubs and washbags (with another 92 currently in production), 3,500 face masks for use in the community and hundreds of wash bags to hospital wards and local care homes. All scrubs are made-to-order and we have received requests from hospitals, health centres, care homes, prisons, schools and children’s nurseries. Wash bags allow staff to easily carry and wash their uniforms, minimising the risk of contaminating cars and home environments, and comfort headbands ease the strain for those wearing facemasks all day.”

Fiona added: “Our sewing team and members of Scrub Hub HQ are offering their time for free and we have been humbled by the generosity of our drivers the fabulous North West 4x4 responders, bikers and individuals who have donated hundreds of miles to help us ensure safe and secure deliveries and picks ups across Lancashire. Our deliverers have gone beyond the call of duty, venturing as far afield as Chorley, Bolton and Southport for the cause. I have been using my contacts through Patches and Buttons to purchase materials at wholesale cost and we have had several generous donations of fabric From Nick Smith, of Premier Textiles, but we are still to fundraising for materials, as requests for Scrubs and facemasks continue to pour in amidst the ongoing risk of COVID-19. We are now also looking to support our schools and high street shops and businesses to help provide reusable face masks to assist them getting back to work with confidence and affordably so they can continue to serve and support the community and the economy of the Ribble Valley and surrounding area. When we do wind down, any remaining proceeds will be donated to NHS Practitioner Health, an organisation that offers support for bereavement, mental health and wellbeing.”

The Ribble Valley Scrub Hub is thankful for all donations. Anyone wishing to further support the initiative is asked to click here