MEMBERS of Alcombe WI are spending lockdown by helping hospital and care home staff to protect their families after work.

The Alcombers are sewing cotton draw-string bags for the staff to put their dirty scrubs in for laundering so that they do not go home in contaminated clothing.

The bags are made of cotton, which can be laundered with the scrubs to a temperature of 60 degrees.

It has been a challenge to find materials but one member of Alcombe and Dunster WI, Julia Statton, has already made five which will be going to Dene Barton, at Cotford St Luke, and Rydon, near Newton Abbott.

Julia said: “I made these out of a patchwork duvet cover my lovely mum made and I didn’t want to just get rid of when she died. She was a great person for upcycling or make do and mend.

“I decided that making these bags to help keep nurses safe would be something she would really like – so they are made and given with love.”

The collection of the bags and delivery to the hospitals and care homes is being co-ordinated by Emma Meredith, of Hopcott Road, Alcombe.