A LAUNCESTON business has been helping to assist with the NHS shortage of clothing and PPE.

Threads recognised that they were able to help as they had access to materials and machines that could support the ever increasing demands due to COVID-19 and the contamination risks associated.

Sarah Tinkler from Threads explained: “I started looking in to what was required in terms of masks, scrubs etc. and sourcing the correct materials, and then we started receiving enquiries from our customers and fellow sewers, wanting to be doing the same.

“After being inundated with enquiries and offers of help from the local sewing community, I quickly began looking at how Threads could properly get involved. It was then that I found Cornwall Scrubs.”

Cornwall Scrubs is part of a nationwide movement called For The Love Of Scrubs, which was set up by Midlands-based A&E nurse Ashleigh Linsdell, as a cry for help when a major shortage of scrubs for frontline NHS staff grew, as the number of Coronavirus patients increased.

Regional groups soon began to form, and the Cornwall Scrubs, led by Annie Lucas (of sewing school, Start to Stitch in St Agnes) now consists of a team of over 600 volunteers across the county, divided into area groups from Launceston to Penzance, all sewing and distributing scrubs to those NHS staff and healthcare workers that need them.

They have so far raised over £15,000 in donations for materials.

Threads is one of a handful of fabric shops in Cornwall now supplying scrubs packs, containing all the materials required to make a set of scrubs in accordance with Cornwall Scrubs requirements and pattern.

Sarah continued: “As such, it has led to us receiving orders for supplies from all over the county, all of which we are doing as close to cost price as we can for this brilliant cause.

“We are also delighted to say that we have so far received a total of over £1,500 in donations directly to us, to keep supplying these scrubs packs at cost to our Launceston group — headed by regional co-ordinator Sharon Greathead.

“We would like to say a big thank you to Launceston Rotary Club and FLIC, as well those in the local community, for their amazingly kind generosity.”

Sarah added: “There is also a large number of local sewers who are generously self-funding for this cause. Many of our regular customers, if they’re not sewing for Cornwall Scrubs, are busy making masks and headbands, as well as scrubs, caps and bags for local care homes, health and key workers.

“I’d like to give a special mention to local dressmaker Julie Milne, as well as Beccy Robinson and Rosemary Kennedy, who have all been funding an amazing amount themselves for materials, and making a fantastic amount of protective clothing for this cause.

“I’ve honestly been so overwhelmed, humbled and encouraged by the generosity and spirit of our local community over these last few weeks.

“Having had to furlough my staff when we closed, I’ve been working on this by myself and although it’s been a strange way of working and I miss my team very much, it’s turned into an experience I will never forget. Though it’s an uncertain and worrying time, I’ve really seen the best in people these last few weeks.”

Anyone wishing to help towards the cause, visit www.cornwallscrubs.co.uk to donate.