Fylde coast and Preston machinists make nearly 7000 laundry sacks for health workers during pandemic

Machinists based across the Fylde coast and Preston made nearly 7000 laundry sacks during the coronavirus pandemic, to prevent health workers transmitting the virus on their clothing.
By Rebecca Beardmore
Published 18th Aug 2020, 15:45 BST
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Mum and daughter Angela Hebblethwaite, 74, from South Shore and Michelle Hebblethwaite, 48, from Thornton teamed up to sew laundry sacks for health workers back in April.

The sacks were made with the intention of keeping key workers' clothing separate when returning home from work, in case of a potential exposure to Covid-19.

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As Angela sewed and Michelle gathered the fabrics, between them and a team of volunteer machinists they sent 6,855 sacks to around 57 NHS and healthcare departments, dentists, pharmacies, care homes and surgeries across the Fylde coast and Preston.

Angela Hebblethwaite with some of the laundry sacks she has spent the pandemic sewing, for key workers in the healthcare sector.Angela Hebblethwaite with some of the laundry sacks she has spent the pandemic sewing, for key workers in the healthcare sector.
Angela Hebblethwaite with some of the laundry sacks she has spent the pandemic sewing, for key workers in the healthcare sector.
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Family effort to create laundry bags to protect NHS staff

The machinists helping Michelle and her mum Angela were from all areas of the Fylde coast and Preston, and Gayle Taylor from Broughton helped with distribution.

Michelle said: "After April, the sacks were urgent, and everyone wanted or needed them, as you can imagine.

"I needed to find more machinists as soon as possible, and I managed to find around 20 who would help with sewing. Donations of bedding also came in thick and fast.

Mum and daughter Angela and Michelle Hebblethwaite teamed up during the lockdown to sew and distribute laundry sacks to over 50 healthcare providers across the Fylde coast and Preston.Mum and daughter Angela and Michelle Hebblethwaite teamed up during the lockdown to sew and distribute laundry sacks to over 50 healthcare providers across the Fylde coast and Preston.
Mum and daughter Angela and Michelle Hebblethwaite teamed up during the lockdown to sew and distribute laundry sacks to over 50 healthcare providers across the Fylde coast and Preston.
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"We've had letters and emails thanking us, and tears as I've handed the sacks over, but I wanted my machinists to get the recognition they deserve for all the help they have given - and how grateful everyone was for the sacks they made."

Who helped to make the sacks for key workers during the pandemic?

Angela Hebblethwaite

Susan Bennett

Ellen Haswell

Michelle Fox

Ann Taylor

Kate Cridland

Pat Webster

Kate Barnes

Sally Clare

Ruth Tiribocchi

Louise Bryer

Anne Keighley

Sue Bonney

Elaine Taylor

Linda Colbourne

Pam Youles

Anne Bolton

Louise Wells

Ela Lisiak

Margaret Gowland

Paula Chew

Jo Grieve

Christina Snasdell

Penny Waters

Barbara Schofield

Irene Barnarse

Lynda Needham

Sara Mills

Jennie Sly

Helen Mills

Darcy Mills

Related topics:FyldePrestonThornton