A GROUP launched by a local nurse has made and donated hundreds items of PPE (personal protective equipment) to frontline workers amid the coronavirus crisis.

The shortages of protective equipment for NHS staff and other key workers has been well documented, and HMP Berwyn nurse Hannah Hart has taken matters into her own hands.

She has set up a group of local sewers and crafters called 'Sewing for the NHS - Wrexham area' - which has worked tirelessly to already have provided hundreds of fabric items of PPE to frontline workers.

They have been sewing scrubs and making face mask extenders to aleviate facial and ear soreness from wearing the masks for prolonged periods.

The Leader:

The group covers all of north east Wales, and is still in desperate need of more volunteers to cover the shortages of the equipment.

Hannah, from Whitchurch, said: "I'm making a desperate plea for local sewers and crafters to join our group.

"So far me and my group have supplied the local area with hundreds of sewn PPE and items for Covid-19 patients, but need more people to join to complete the task of making about 2,000 items - which is what we need to do.

"And not everyone who works as part of the group is sewing, some are in distribution which is equally as important - so any help at all is greatly appreciated."

Asked about whether it should have come down to volunteers being tasked with producing PPE, Hannah said: "It's not acceptable at all, the authorities have been caught wholly unprepared but here we are, so it's down to us fill the shortages.

The group has also made love hearts for coronavirus patients in self-isolation, and so unable to see their loved ones.

The Leader:

Anyone wishing to get involved with the scheme can contact Hannah Hart on 07498734337.