Fleetwood artist sets up 'scrub hub' to kit out NHS workers across Fylde coast and Preston

An artist from Fleetwood has set up a 'scrub hub' with a group of volunteers, to sew scrubs for NHS staff working across the Fylde coast and Preston.
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Gillian Wood from Fleetwood worked all over Europe as a costume textile artist for film and TV for 15 years, before becoming an artist-in-residence in the Wyre town.

Now she has set up the 'scrub hub,' recruiting volunteers who are able to sew to help her make scrubs for medical professionals working during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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A Go Fund Me page set up six days ago by Gillian and her partner Martin Coyne has already reached £750, and Martin also plans to run a backyard half-marathon to raise money for materials.

Gillian Wood has set up the 'scrub hub' with other volunteers who are sewing scrubs for medical professionals during the coronavirus pandemic.Gillian Wood has set up the 'scrub hub' with other volunteers who are sewing scrubs for medical professionals during the coronavirus pandemic.
Gillian Wood has set up the 'scrub hub' with other volunteers who are sewing scrubs for medical professionals during the coronavirus pandemic.

Gillian said: "I have a lot of friends in the costume industry and I saw some of them in Leeds and Manchester doing this, so I decided to start one here.

"It's voluntary and we are working from donations only, so we need all the help we can to be able to sew scrubs for NHS workers on the Fylde coast and in Preston.

"We have also got a team in Cumbria helping out around there. There are over 20 volunteers making scrubs for Royal Preston hospital and GP surgeries in all areas at the moment, but it grows by the day.

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"If any doctors or nurses request scrubs from us we can make them. My sister and her husband are NHS doctors, and I knew if I was able to help out I must."

Now Gillian is asking for anyone with sewing experience to lend a hand, or donate to her Go Fund Me page to enable her to buy more materials for the scrubs.

Donations can be made directly through the Go Fund Me page, and anyone who requires scrubs can contact Gillian by emailing [email protected] or by calling 07956 788477.

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