Harrogate Scrubbers reach incredible target to help hospital after just six weeks

The Harrogate Scubbers have reached their target of providing staff at Harrogate District Hospital with 2037 scrubs in just six weeks.
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The group has also provided 260 PPE gowns and over 550 scrub hats, 400 headbands and 1000 scrub bags.

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Celebrating its success, Fran Taylor, who started the group, said: ‘This has genuinely been a phenomenal team effort from a community in response to supporting the NHS. Whilst we have achieved more than I could ever have hoped for, I would like to thank the sterling team who have supported me since day one - Pam Mullins, Kimberley Wilson, Elise Madolyn Johnson, Lisa Sumpton, Hannah May, Jenni Brown and Claire Strachan who have been the core co-ordination team.

Fran Taylor from the Harrogate Scubbers with Dan Thirkell and Andrew Forsyth from Harrogate District Hospital with cages of donated scrubs.Fran Taylor from the Harrogate Scubbers with Dan Thirkell and Andrew Forsyth from Harrogate District Hospital with cages of donated scrubs.
Fran Taylor from the Harrogate Scubbers with Dan Thirkell and Andrew Forsyth from Harrogate District Hospital with cages of donated scrubs.

"Whilst on the surface we look like we have glided to this point, it is their sheer determination and support, and working very long days and nights that has enabled it to happen. Also, the brilliant hubs who got the packs out and our delivery support team.

"The community and corporate involvement has been vast and is listed below. We have needed every bit of their support and encouragement. Finally, a huge thank you to each and every member of the Harrogate Scrubbers team who did their bit to make this the massive success it has been. I am genuinely humbled, and this will be a very emotional day for so many people."

The team dropped the scrubs and PPE equipment off at Harrogate District Hospital earlier today, Tuesday, in an emotional display.

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Harrogate District Hospital staff in rainbow scrubs.Harrogate District Hospital staff in rainbow scrubs.
Harrogate District Hospital staff in rainbow scrubs.

It has reinforced that it is continuing to support GP surgeries and wider community projects, under the guidance of the hospital.

And despite an impressive donation of £5,000 worth of fabric from Harrogate Masons, the 'Scrubbers' are still very much in need of other donations to make this possible.

Steve Russell, Chief Executive at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: "When we initially approached the Harrogate Scrubbers we only asked for a few hundred scrubs, which was still plenty of work for the wonderful volunteers.

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"However, as we changed the way we worked and more and more colleagues were wearing scrubs, it became clear that we needed to explore extending the arrangement. We never envisaged a team of volunteers completing an order of that magnitude within the timescales that they have.

"My colleagues and I are in complete awe of the community and the local response. We would like to thank everyone involved and send them all our heartfelt thanks and gratitude. What an amazing achievement. From everyone at the Trust – thank you."

Any surgery within the Harrogate area looking for scrubs can email [email protected] and make the arrangements through their Practice Manager.

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