Three members of staff at Beaumont College, Lancaster, have continued their efforts to protect front-line workers during the coronavirus crisis by ramping up production and distribution of their home-made PPE.
Debs Sibilla, learning support, Robyn Powley, learning support, and Belinda Wolfendale, nurse, previously caught the attention of local organisations after making over 1,600 face masks and 1,000 headbands during their spare time to help keep key workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a helping hand from local factories and members of the local community the three girls, nicknamed ‘The Sewing Sisters,’ have managed to increase production and distribution of their equipment, making over 4,000 masks and 1,000 headbands for friends, family and front-line workers.
The three staff members have given up their time to help create batches of PPE free-of charge. Their equipment has been used to supply workers across the country, including areas such as Morecambe, Lancaster, Westgate, Preston and Blackpool and has been welcomed by staff at several organisations, including Lancaster Royal Infirmary, Great Ormond Street children’s charity, St John’s Hospice and numerous care homes in the community.
Reflecting on their work, Debs Sibilla said: “It has been a most incredible journey that I will cherish for a long time. It has kept my own mental well-being stable during this unusual and difficult time and it would not have been possible without the materials that were generously donated by local individuals and factories.”
However, despite their hard work, Debs has insisted that their work will not stop yet. She said: “We are now looking at creating blankets for the students at Beaumont College. We have also been repairing bags and trousers for students, making aprons for living skills and pillows for physiotherapy. We have even received requests for bespoke designs which we have tried our best to accommodate where possible.”
‘The Sewing Sisters’ have been praised by John Godden, CEO of Salutem which operates Beaumont College, after 1,000 masks were sent to the Salutem head office. He said: “The staff who have made this PPE for key workers and their families are a shining example of everything we stand for at Salutem – being caring and compassionate.
“Debs, Robyn and Belinda have exceeded all expectations by producing an incredible amount of PPE through the pandemic. They should be incredibly proud of themselves.”
