Making ‘scrubs’ for Macclesfield Hospital

Chris Watson and Philip Harden with some of the items of scrubs clothing.

The Rotary Club of Macclesfield Castle are the latest of many organisations and schools in Macclesfield to support a group of local friends with their initiative to make hospital scrubs.

Responding in early April to a call from Abi Sherratt, the Communications and Engagement Officer for Macclesfield District General Hospital, friends Philip and Stephanie Harden, and Fran and Maurice Wilbraham, began making hospital scrubs. Initial tasks were downloading and making suitable patterns and seeking donations of suitable materials. Family, friends and fellow employees, supplied sheets and duvet covers. As word spread, many other friends joined in, culminating in a team of well over 50 people, offering various skills and abilities, all united by wanting to ‘do their bit’ to help. 

It became obvious that material and other items would have to be bought to satisfy demand. Team members sewed, organised and collected additional fabric donations, washed fabric, copied patterns, cut out fabric, ironed, delivered both fabric and pre-cut sets and collected finished garments. By the time the Hospital called a halt in early May, the group had produced and delivered 230 sets of scrubs with a further 16 sets going directly to the Hospital’s Paediatric Department. These sets featured various Disney characters on the pockets to make them more child friendly. Other groups in Macclesfield boosted the total number of scrubs delivered to the Hospital to over 1200.

Philip Harden said: ‘Grateful thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the project by giving their valuable time, or donating money and material, including St. Alban’s Macclesfield and St Mary’s Congleton churches, All Hallows Academy, the Magic Voices choir, Kettleshulme Women’s Institute, Macclesfield U3A, the Catenian Association, and Rotary Club of Macclesfield Castle.’ 

Incoming Rotary President Chris Watson is delighted to support the group: ‘Rotary is keen to support this community action. Our donation is just a small part of this wonderful  local achievement.’