Charity providing free face masks for cancer patients

It follows a collaborative project with SPAR and EUROSPAR NI, NI Scrubs and Business in the Community.

1in3’s Karen McMeekan said: “It is great to be able to offer such practical support to those dealing with cancer and their families within our local area. The threat of coronavirus is even more real for those whose immune systems are already compromised as a result of their cancer treatments, so being able to offer them (and their families) free face coverings to help them to protect themselves is really important.”

NI Scrubs, which started a highly successful movement of volunteer stitchers making scrubs for the NHS and care workers, have now moved their efforts onto producing face coverings for the vulnerable within communities.

Angeline Murphy, who is driving the NI Big Community Sew campaign explained: “The stitching mission all started with NI Scrubs, where over 26,000 scrubs were produced for frontline NHS and care staff. The volunteer army of stitchers met the demand for scrubs and filled the stop gap that existed at the time.

"With some money remaining we are looking towards the vulnerable in the community and we want to get face coverings to those in most need."

“The Big Community Sew” is supported by Patrick Grant of the Great British Sewing Bee and is helping to arm local communities and charities with essential protection to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Business in the Community liaised with 1in3 Cancer Support and NI Scrubs to secure a number of the face coverings for distribution to those within the charity’s area who are dealing with cancer.

Lisa McIlvenna, deputy managing director, Business in the Community said: “We’re all fighting to get through this crisis, and in nearly every instance we’ve seen the best way to achieve this is for local groups, charities and businesses to come together. As lockdown is beginning to ease, it is important that we all do our very best to protect ourselves and each other. This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when business and communities come together and we are delighted to be part of it.”

Know someone who would benefit?

If you know someone dealing with cancer and living within the BT36 – BT40 postcode areas, contact 1in3 Cancer Support via their Facebook page or call 0300 323 1343.

A limited number of coverings are currently available and more are needed, so if you’d like to try your hand at sewing, check out the details of local SPAR/EUROSPAR locations to pick up a sewing pack via their Facebook page.