CORONAVIRUS: Community group volunteers soar in drive to stitch scrubs for health workers

Every problem is an opportunity to help our community, says Joe Garvey, Chairman of Richmount Rural Community Association when describing the association’s response to the Coronavirus crisis.
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Like many other community groups, they have risen to the challenge and are working full tilt to help.

Primarily they have been keeping in contact with older people in the community, directing them to where food can be delivered to them and collecting prescriptions where pre-arranged with the pharmacy.

Their Facebook page is a must for the locals as it is regularly updated with everything happening in the area and advice on where to get help.

Volunteers at Richmount Rural Community Association near PortadownVolunteers at Richmount Rural Community Association near Portadown
Volunteers at Richmount Rural Community Association near Portadown

Last week they learned of a ‘severe shortage’ of scrubs for health workers in hospitals and private nursing homes so they sprung into action.

They issued an alert on their Facebook page for material, volunteers to sew and people to deliver and collect.

And the response was overwhelming including a large number of sheets from a lady in the Beeches, Portadown and also rolls of material from Scotch Street Youth Club. An amazing number of volunteers came forward with 17 sewing with another six collecting and ready to make deliveries. Five of the volunteers are using the sewing machines already in the Community Centre.

Fresh scrubs, scrubs laundry bags and face masks are being made due to an exceptionally high demand.

Volunteers at Richmount Rural Community Association near PortadownVolunteers at Richmount Rural Community Association near Portadown
Volunteers at Richmount Rural Community Association near Portadown

Joe praised the wonderful community spirit since the crisis began.

“We have been absolutely bowled over by the support of local traders in the Scotch St area of Portadown with offers to help us support the people in need. It is also magnificent the support we are getting in the production of scrubs for the medical and support staff. Not only have volunteers and material come forward but we have also been loaned the use of sewing machines and an interlocker machine.

“It also pleasing to see people of different nationalities, races and ages coming together in this effort and in particular our Bulgarian community. Covid16 does not discriminate. We are very concerned about the safety of our volunteers and we have tried to make sure that they are equipped with appropriate personal protection equipment.

The Association welcomes donations of fabric at least 50% cotton. Also, any spare thread etc.

For information please contact Joe Garvey: [email protected] or text 07934186635

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