The Gullane Scrubbers

At the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020, a team of 40 ladies from Gullane and the surrounding area dusted off their sewing machines and sharpened their scissors when it became apparent that the NHS and others in the healthcare sector were struggling to source basic PPE items such as scrub sets, scrub bags and face coverings. The Gullane team, led by Judith Donaldson of Gullane and affectionately known as ‘The Gullane Scrubbers’ joined forces with the Glasgow based ‘Nifty Stitchers’ led by Ellie Steele.

In total 227 full sets of scrubs were made – 116 pairs of trousers, 638 bags and thousands of face masks. These were donated locally to the East Lothian Community Hospital, The Edington Hospital, Gullane Medical Practice, North Berwick Health Centre, Ballantine Goldie Opticians, Gullane Resilience Team, Alison Frostwick Podiatrist and the William Fraser Centre in Edinburgh. Further afield they were delivered to Wood Practice, Broxburn Care Inspectorate, a theatre nurse at the Freeman Hospital and the Dementia Unit in Glasgow.

The group of Stitchers were phenomenal, many starting sewing in the early morning and not finishing until late at night. The group was comprised of women aged between 18 and 92. Not only did they produce much needed supplies for those who needed them, they also raised money for charities in the process, in particular the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation as many of the scrubs were made in were brightly checked fabrics. Once national supply systems were in place, the ladies split into different groups and continued their good work, making cheerful surgical gowns for the Sick Kids in Edinburgh, masks for the general public and pillowcase dresses for child projects in Africa. Some of this work continues to this day and for many Stitchers the friendships made during this time will be lifelong.
With thanks to Lorna and Sarah.