Volunteers who made 26,000 scrubs fold up ‘our mission’

AN army of volunteers led by an Omagh woman – which made over 26,000 sets of medical scrubs during the Covid-19 pandemic – has now “finished its mission”.

The Scrubs NI group was founded by Clara Maybin to help protect healthcare workers across the North who have been working on the frontline of the Covid fight.

Clara started the campaign in March when she began collecting scrubs for healthcare workers after concerns were raised about the lack of PPE for medical staff.

The Omagh woman put out a plea on social media, and a group was quickly formed with almost 9,000 members from across the North.

They made a fantastic 26,500 sets of scrubs, and Clara says now is the time to “give the fingers a rest”.

She said, “A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks.

“We made an amazing amount of scrubs. I haven’t heard of any other region across the water making so many. There are still some people finishing up the final bits and pieces but we are now more or less finished our mission,” continued Clara.

The group has also made over 18,000 scrub bags, 12,000 masks and 3,000 hats which were distributed to hospitals, care homes, GPs and community health workers.

Clara said, “I would just like to thank everyone who was involved in any way.

“I started this about 12 weeks ago and to me, what we have achieved in these past weeks is just massive.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone who donated money or who helped out.

“Hopefully we will have a big party when all this is over – The Scrubbers Ball!

“Hopefully there won’t be a second wave, but we’ll be ready if called upon again.

“However, for now, I am sure anyone who has been sewing will be glad to give their hands and fingers a rest,” added Clara.