Please select your home edition
Edition

RYA Northern Ireland club members swap scrubbing boats to scrubbing for the NHS

by Gayle Logan 30 Apr 2020 07:24 PDT
RYA Northern Ireland affiliated Club members get sewing for the NHS © RYA NI

Around the shores of Strangford Lough, two long-time friends, Thelma and Louise, set up the North Down & Ards Scrubs for NHS group. The group was set up to help support NHS workers such as Thelma's son who is a key worker.

The group, which was set up only three weeks ago and now has over 30 teams (averaging 10 members per team) including stitchers, cutters, drivers and a few independent sewers, has made over 500 scrub sets to date. A huge achievement in such a short period.

They have sourced, cut and sewn through 600m of fabric, countless numbers of bed linen and sets and have just ordered a further 600m to send out to the many volunteers involved.

The volunteers include a team made up of club members from around Strangford Lough including Quoile YC and Killyleagh YC. The team led by Liz Baker, RYANI Development Committee member and Quoile Yacht club member, is working alongside 12 others from Quoile and Killyleagh. Other club members include - Jill Heron; Julie Chambers; Bridie McKeating; Paddy Mullan; Bridie Warren; Heather Crawford; Sheenagh Crawford; Liz McCormick; Dawn Crosby; Helen Bready; Allison Crichton and Viv White - even getting their husbands involved, who are gaining new skills by getting roped into trace and cut patterns for the scrubs.

Liz Baker explains: "I heard about the group and thought that it was the right thing to do to help where I could, I can sew and was delighted to be able to support this group. Jill phoned me a few days later and asked if our local town support group - Killyleagh Community Association Covid-19 Volunteer group could help. Jill put out the call for those with sewing skills and donations of good quality bed linen.

"This was all done with strict social distancing in mind, a large plastic box was left at the bottom of Jill's drive into which donations were made. Very soon we had lots of donations and offers of help.

She continues: "I think it is a very worthy cause, it has not been easy to get materials such as fabric, thread and elastic but with the promotion of this group the community have come together by donating much needed materials. Thanks to many kind donations including The Skip in Newtownards who donated fabric, thread and tape - we are truly thankful even adding our own little touch by dying the some of the donated fabric."

Julie Chambers (KYC) and also a nurse adds: "what a week we have had, great fun, camaraderie, virtual sewing video chats and even getting to see a few faces on delivery - all with social distancing in place!

Everyone jumped on board and felt they were contributing to our NHS and even more so as some of us are still working and have a lot of young family members on the front line. We will certainly be out Thursday evening clapping."

The group are sewing scrubs for the Ulster Hospital, Covid testing centres, the Maternity unit at the Ulster, the Mater and Ards and North Down community nursing.

Lisa McCaffrey (RYANI Active Clubs Coordinator) explains: "This is a great example of how our sailing community is working together and it's fantastic to see all the volunteers putting their expertise and skills to help support our key workers.

If you would like to know more about this fantastic group follow them on Facebook - North Down & Ards scrubs for NHS."

Donations for the work they are doing can be made through: www.gofundme.com/f/2juv8c-scrubs-for-nhs

If you or your club is doing something similar please let us know as we are keen on promoting all the inspiring work our sailing community are doing over this time.

Related Articles

2025 Flotilla to Alaska Day 3
Clam Bay to Comox: A gorgeous, calm morning so far! Our alarm went off just before 4:30am this morning...enough time to check the weather, get a few sips of coffee, and figure out if we were going to need to change the plan. Again. Posted on 1 Jun
30th anniversary celebrated at Sanctuary Cove
A meaningful tribute to the people who have shaped Palm Beach Motor Yachts The show welcomed four days of ideal weather and high-quality visitors, including owners and VIP guests who traveled to the Gold Coast for the milestone event. Posted on 31 May
2025 Flotilla to Alaska Day 2
We've already resorted to a Plan B. Day 2 and we've already resorted to a Plan B. Originally our plan this morning was to leave Ganges around 7:30am to make Dodd Narrows by noon, just prior to slack, and then continue on up to Tribune Bay on Hornby Island — a long day (67nm). Posted on 31 May
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Four
Episode Four - Mark Elkington, The Yacht Sales Co. - is now up and running Watch along as we speak with Mark Elkington from The Yacht Sales Co. about his transition from a West Australian crayfisherman to a global sales and support organisation par excellence. Posted on 30 May
2025 Flotilla to Alaska Day 1
Prevost Harbor to Ganges The 2025 Flotilla to Alaska officially began last night at Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island, but most everyone was in Anacortes the night before, so we had some extra time to get acquainted before our first official meeting. Posted on 30 May
All the hurricane preparation info boaters need
Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 Recreational boaters whose vessels have been impacted by a hurricane and came out relatively unscathed know it all starts with a plan. Posted on 29 May
Benetti launches FB615
A custom B.Now 50m developed around the owner's unique vision of yachting Benetti redefines the boundaries of custom yacht-building with the launch of FB615, a 50-metre floating masterpiece meticulously crafted to embody the unique dreams and lifestyle of her owner. Posted on 29 May
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Three
Episode Three - Greg Haines, Princess Yachts Australia - is now up and running Episode Three - Greg Haines, Princess Yachts Australia - is now up and running Posted on 24 May
Columbus Crossover 42 M/Y launching ceremony
A superyacht with compact but extremely flexible dimensions Columbus Yachts announces the launch of the new Crossover 42 named M/Y Big Naan. The joyful ceremony took place at the Savona shipyard in the presence of her Owners, their guests and local authorities. Posted on 23 May
Outer Reef Yachts launches 780 Adventure Hull 1
A 24-meter steel-hulled explorer yacht Outer Reef Yachts is proud to announce the successful completion of the all-new 780 Adventure, a 24-meter steel-hulled explorer yacht, meticulously built at the Outer Reef Netherlands shipyard. Posted on 22 May