The SOS4NHS project (Sew-Our-Scrubs, 4 NHS) came together on the 13th of April, after a conversation between Tracey Holt-Jenkinson, mum of an Intensive Care nurse at Hull Royal Infirmary, and Ward Councillor Dave Tucker.  South East Holderness Ward Councillors of East Riding County Council all rose to the challenge and put a call out for members of the local and wider community to help sew scrubs for our local hospital. The project quickly grew as word spread amongst the community of South East Holderness and wider community.

The project team consists of local South East Holderness residents and East Riding Ward Councillors, many of the ladies who have come forward are former NHS staff and indeed Councillor Dave Tucker has only recently retired from Hull University Teaching Hospitals after many years’ service as a nurse.

Councillor Sue Steel said “We have faced many challenges regarding the project ranging from funding to acquiring the material and the distribution, manufacture and collection. Local resident Carolyn Hunter set up a Just Giving Page for the group, and in a matter of days the project had raised just over £6,000, enough to purchase, material and cotton for the project. Councillor Lyn Healing organised the delivery and collection of the material and scrubs, throughout South East Holderness and the wider East Riding Community. Councillor Paul Whitehead put a call out to motorcyclists and within hours we had material heading off to our ‘sewing heroes’ providing these vital items for Hull Hospital nursing staff. Councillor Gary McMaster donated his factory and even went as far as donating a van, and  all of this help has been pivotal for the project to succeed.”

Following on from the success of the SOS4NHS, WISHH also worked with Councillor Sue Steel to create even more scrubs.  Following on from a callout for sewers, we were absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of support that was offered.   Sewers from all over Hull and East Yorkshire created many pairs of scrubs which have been very much appreciated by hospital staff.