MORE than 50 sewers in Ilkley have been working hard from their homes to make new scrubs for local GPs and medical professionals.

This amazing show of solidarity comes as local medical professionals are instructed to wear scrubs for their safety, but simply don’t have enough on hand.

In response to the shortage, a community-led initiative, Ilkley Coronavirus Response, called on locals to put their sewing skills to the test to help out in this time of crisis. And local residents responded brilliantly, forming the Ilkley Sewing Team.

The team has made up of more than 60 sets scrubs tops and trousers, so far and is on target to make 100 sets by the end of the week.

Many have come from the local volunteer sector, with over 20 people from the local Great Get Together team getting involved. For many over 70s or those in self isolation this is a great way of volunteering and contributing.

Ilkley Coronavirus Response is a community-led initiative drawing together many local community and neighbourhood groups, charities and churches as well as medical professionals. Elected representatives and officers at town, district and national level are also all working well together on this initiative.

Medical professionals in the area have thanked the sewers for their hard work.

On behalf of all the doctors from the Wharfedale, Airedale and Craven Allicance (WACA) federation, Caroline Rayment, a GP Partner Grange Park Surgery in Burley-in-Wharfedale said: “Dear Ilkley Sewing Team – I just wanted to pass on the most sincere thanks from the local medical teams in your astounding effort at coming together to provide us with scrubs. We our overwhelmed by the speed and enthusiasm you have given to this venture. We are truly grateful. It makes us feel very supported by the community we are trying to serve.”

Co-ordinator of the Ilkley Sewing Team, Amanda Danells-Bewley said: “A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Sewing Project. It’s a wonderful way of saying how much we appreciate all our local NHS staff are doing for us. We’re really seeing the beneficial impact of our volunteers’ efforts in people’s lives and we’re constantly looking out for each other and new ways to help.

"Local businesses have also been key in getting the project going, donating fabric, dye and producing paper patterns.

"What we now urgently need though is fabric. It takes around three metres to make one set of scrubs. We have been asked to make scrubs for more GP practices in the area, so quickly need to source fabric in much larger quantities.”

Anyone wanting to donate fabric should get in touch with Amanda by emailing Mrs.DB@outlook.com