Pinchbeck company smashes fundraising target to keep NHS staff protected

Following an urgent plea for donations of fabric and funds from sewing group For the Love of Scrubs and Spalding Charity Ella’s Project, Simon Lord, of Lord Collectables, decided to do something to help.

Simon’s original target of £500 was quickly smashed over the weekend and £780 has now been raised to help to keep NHS staff protected during the crisis.

The funds have been put towards purchasing 40 duvet covers, which the sewing group desperately need in order to create scrubs, along with further materials.

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Simon has been able to quickly place an order for duvet covers thanks to his contact with a company he has met through his online shop, which is based at Birchgrove Garden Centre in Pinchbeck.

He said: “I’m thrilled! We’ve raised the money in just over three days.

"We appreciate that everyone is going through hard times financially at the moment so this is fantastic.

"Everything is ordered now and we want to get the materials to the group quickly so it should be with them in the next few days."

Mark Le Sage of Ella’s Project, who is a qualified nurse, added: “We are overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and are exceptionally grateful to people across the country who are responding to the plea.

"It's particularly amazing considering we are currently at a time when many people are struggling and might not know how they are going to put food on the table.

"It's amazing to see everyone doing their bit - if we all do a little bit, it adds up to something wonderful."

Donations of fabric have already been flying in and last week Mark and Diane Virden, the Spalding area co-ordinator, organised a large delivery to Ros Reynolds of For the Love of Scrubs.

Diane and Mark loaded up the Ella's Project van with several bags of donated items which will now be turned into scrubs for medical staff across the county to wear.

As part of the plea for donations, Ros said: “Every single hospital and medical centre in Lincolnshire needs scrubs and we are working to help them all.

"We really need duvet covers and sheets which are 100% cotton or polycotton which is 80/20 blend or 65/35 - if you can see your hand through them the material is too thin. It needs to be thick as it’s being washed at 60 degrees."

If you are able to donate the required fabrics items should be in bags and can be dropped to the marked collection box outside 20 Edward Road, Spalding. For further information, please contact Spalding co-ordinator Diane Virden on 07570 809 104.

The group is also looking for help with delivering scrubs to designated drop-off points - in particular, those with motorbikes who could help with small packages.

If you are able to help in any way, please email Ros Reynolds on skiandu@hotmail.com and to donate funds please visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ftoscrubslincs