Sheffield volunteer sewers making scrubs need donations

A network of home sewers from Sheffield are appealing for donations to buy fabric as they race to fulfil hundreds of requests for clinical scrubs.
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More than 80 volunteers in the city have answered a call to put their sewing machines to use as over 500 orders have flooded in from hospitals and GP surgeries in South Yorkshire and north Derbyshire.

One of the organisers, Becky Ashfield, has set up a crowdfunding page to help raise money for more fabric for the group, which includes a tailor and a textiles teacher as well as amateur sewers.

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Becky said the initiative started last week when she was contacted by someone who was trying to help out their local GP surgery.

Noreen Naz, a volunteer stitcher is among a network of dozens of home sewers who are appealing for cash for fabric as they race to fulfil hundreds of requests for clinical scrubs. Photo: Noreen Naz/PA WireNoreen Naz, a volunteer stitcher is among a network of dozens of home sewers who are appealing for cash for fabric as they race to fulfil hundreds of requests for clinical scrubs. Photo: Noreen Naz/PA Wire
Noreen Naz, a volunteer stitcher is among a network of dozens of home sewers who are appealing for cash for fabric as they race to fulfil hundreds of requests for clinical scrubs. Photo: Noreen Naz/PA Wire

In just a few days, the group has had requests for 300 sets of scrubs from local hospitals, including in Barnsley and Rotherham, and 200 from GP surgeries.

Becky said she has put her own business on hold during the crisis and has put up hundreds of pounds of her own money up front to make sure there is fabric available for the initial set of orders.

But the group now urgently needs more money for the fabric for the scrubs, which cost about £10 to £12 each to make.

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It has been supplied at heavily discounted prices by Annie's fabric shop in Sheffield.

Volunteer stitcher Rebecca Hammond, who is among a network of dozens of home sewers who are appealing for cash for fabric as they race to fulfil hundreds of requests for clinical scrubs. Photo: Graeme Hammond/PA WireVolunteer stitcher Rebecca Hammond, who is among a network of dozens of home sewers who are appealing for cash for fabric as they race to fulfil hundreds of requests for clinical scrubs. Photo: Graeme Hammond/PA Wire
Volunteer stitcher Rebecca Hammond, who is among a network of dozens of home sewers who are appealing for cash for fabric as they race to fulfil hundreds of requests for clinical scrubs. Photo: Graeme Hammond/PA Wire

Some volunteers have even been tearing up their duvet covers to make the garments.

"We've got so many people out there ready and willing and they're working away," said Becky.

"We just need to raise money quickly to get the fabric."

She said: "We've only been going a few days. The number of orders has been amazing."

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Becky praised Lyndsey Nicholls, of Annie's, who is working hard to supply the volunteers across the city, discounting the fabric as much as she can while staying in business.

"It's amazing what they're doing all over the city," Lyndsey said.

She said she has even been asked to source yellow fabric for the Children's Hospital.

Lyndsey said some GPs had offered to pay for the material for their own orders.

Donations can be made at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/scrubs-supporters and more information is available on the Facebook page Sheffield Scrubs Up.