MORE than £4,000 has been raised for foodbanks by Dovestone WI through donations for their hand-made face coverings as they continue to help the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Members of the Dovestone WI’s Help and Support group, which was set up at the start of the lockdown, have made more than 1,500 face coverings for their ‘Fabric into Food’ initiative.
The face coverings are made from cotton bedding donated by the community and have been handed out to locals in exchange for a donation, raising more than £4,000 so far.
Jess Moreland, Dovestone WI president, explained: “Every penny raised has been spent on food for families in crisis, the vulnerable and elderly members of the wider community.
“Our cutter and sewing bees have produced over 1,500 face coverings, making it possible for us to provide food and toiletries to Oldham Foodbank, Impact Foodbank in Failsworth and the Sandwich Angels in Hyde.”
As well as supplying Oldham Council (MioCare), Oldham Rotary (for shielding and vulnerable families) Royal Albert Infirmary, GoToDoc and the Big Issue, the face coverings have also been posted out around the country.
Dovestone WI has also supplied 500 face visors with the help of Ben O’Hana and a further 125 scrub gowns and bags – thanks to Carry On Delph for some – to community nurse teams.
And after being approached by The Royal Oldham Hospital, WI knitters picked up their needles to create dozens of blankets to donate to babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Meanwhile, the WI’s Countryside Safety Marshal Scheme is up and running again with more volunteers and a new improved Whatsapp Group.
Some of the marshals will be working alongside RSPB to help to clear the fly-tipped tyres at Binn Green near Dovestone Reservoir.
If you are interested in becoming a marshal, get in touch via the Countryside Safety Marshal Scheme’s Facebook page where you will find detailed information.
And looking ahead as lockdown restrictions are eased, Dovestone WI is planning a charity Comedy Club Night on Saturday, September 12 at The Royal George in Greenfield.
Tickets will be on sale soon if the event goes ahead, dependent on social distancing guidelines.
For more information on Dovestone WI and their initiatives or events, visit their Facebook page or website: www.dovestonewi.com
New members and guests are always very welcome at meetings, which will be held on the third Tuesday of each month in at The Royal George, Greenfield when it is possible to resume.
If you require a face covering, message Dovestone WI on their Facebook page.
