By Oxford Council makes a ‘cloth face mask appeal’ for vulnerable residents.
Oxford City Council is making an appeal to locals who are handy with a needle and a thread, asking for donations of cloth face masks for vulnerable households as part of the coronavirus response and have shared three patterns for masks that they would like to receive:
- A simple pattern provided by Public Health England
- UK sustainable fashion brand Pajotten has provided two free patterns
- the goodlife centre has this pattern with tips for making in batches
Cllr Marie Tidball, Cabinet Member for Supporting Local Communities
“If you can sew a cloth mask, or want to donate a shop-bought cloth mask, please get involved with this campaign. We’re continuing to support a significant number of people due to coronavirus. Adding a facemask to the essential supplies, to those most in need, is a simple way we can take another worry off their shoulders. I hope we’re going to get more masks than we need, so that we can share them with other community groups too.
Once received, the masks will be stored for 72 to hours to ensure they do not carry any active virus, and then they will be distributed along with other essential supplies the Council is providing for those most in need across the city.
Whilst you cannot drop masks off, the Council has several ways that you can donate. For those who can’t sew, the Council is also welcoming shop-bought washable face masks and donations from any businesses with surplus masks.
Cllr Tidball added:
“As someone with disabilities myself, I know that it can be very worrying for those that can’t wear a mask because of physical or mental ill health issues. Our health is often more at risk from coronavirus too. That is why we need the rest of the community to be considerate and to wear a mask. Please be kind, wear a mask.”
How to donate
By post: post them to Locality response hub, Rose Hill Community Centre, Carole’s Way, Oxford OX4 4HF.
Collection: For donations of more than five masks, the Council can organise to collect; so you may prefer to put together a box of donations from friends and neighbours. Please get in touch by emailing fooddonations@oxford.gov.uk to arrange this.
Contact Gi Oxford
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
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