Covid 19 and business shutdown could not stop Ribble Valley lingerie designer from becoming a champion for the NHS

A designer and new mum, who was struck a double blow by the pandemic when her business was closed down and she had suspected Covid 19, became a champion for the NHS.
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Jenna Barnes was devastated when her Clitheroe based lingerie boutique, Raine and Bea, which is the smallest one in Britain, was closed a week before lockdown.

Jenna then came down with symptoms of coronavirus while caring for her seven week old daughter Flossie and her three other children, Lili (15) a student at Ribblesdale High School, 11-year-old George and Nancy (eight) who both go to Brookside Primary.

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Jenna said: "It was an horrendous 10 days.I know it was definitely Covid but luckily Flossie and the rest of my family didn’t show any signs of it.

Lingerie designer Jenna Barnes with husband Chris and their children, Lil (15) George (11), Nancy,who is eight, and baby Flossie.Lingerie designer Jenna Barnes with husband Chris and their children, Lil (15) George (11), Nancy,who is eight, and baby Flossie.
Lingerie designer Jenna Barnes with husband Chris and their children, Lil (15) George (11), Nancy,who is eight, and baby Flossie.

"My husband, Chris is asthmatic so we were worried for him too."

The pandemic also impacted on musician Chris as his band ,The Australian Pink Floyd Show, had tours lined up for France and Germany which were cancelled.

Jenna added: "It was a huge shock for us but luckily he has had quality time watching his new baby daughter grow whilst he has been home, something he would have missed out on. "

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Rather than do nothing, once she was feeling better Jenna decided to make scrubs for NHS staff. She set up a crowd funding page, with a target of £400, but she smashed this and raised £1,600 to cover the cost of fabrics, trims and postage.

Jenna with singer Fleur East in the dress she designed for her for the Brit Awards.Jenna with singer Fleur East in the dress she designed for her for the Brit Awards.
Jenna with singer Fleur East in the dress she designed for her for the Brit Awards.

And the lockdown project became a real family affair with the children each taking on a role in Jenna's workshop cutting out patterns, ironing, trimming and sewing garments, making pockets and using the industrial overlocker sewing machine.

Even little Flossie, who is now a thriving five-and-a-half-month old, got in on the act watching from her baby bouncer.

Together the Barnes made 132 sets of scrubs which have been sent out to hospitals across the county including North Manchester General, Royal Bolton Hospital, Salford Royal, Royal Blackburn Hospital and also care homes.

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Now lockdown is easing Jenna has been kept busy preparing for the re-opening of her boutique last week in Moor Lane.

Lili Barnes hard at work in her mum's workshop making NHS scrubsLili Barnes hard at work in her mum's workshop making NHS scrubs
Lili Barnes hard at work in her mum's workshop making NHS scrubs

Among Jenna's list of celebrity clients are pop sensation and star of I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here,Fleur East. Fleur caused a storm when she wore a show stopping dress designed by Jenna at the Brit Awards in 2016.

Fleur sent the paparazzi into meltdown when she arrived on the red carpet in the risque lace, nude gown which was Jenna's creation.