COVID-19 COMMUNITY AID

The need to do something to help others has resulted in a Castle Hill grandmother making 1820 facemasks which have found their way to doctors’ surgeries, aged care centres and to people in need.

Wendy Carritt said she began by making two masks, for her husband and herself, but then started producing more to meet demand.

“My daughter is a GP and asked me to make some for her family and then her medical centre staff,” she said.

Wendy then made over 100 masks for her local Probus club and in return members started dropping off material to her home to enable her to make more masks.

After that Wendy decided to donate 200 masks to Cherrybrook Medical Centre and 100 to Appletree Medical Centre.

“Making the masks was something I wanted to do. I think it took me about 45 minutes to make my first mask, now I do them in batches of 100 and it takes about 5 minutes a mask,” she said.

West Pennant Hills Rotary Club donated money to buy more materials and Wendy has now teamed up with the Rotary Club of Glenhaven to get the other masks delivered.

“They have been marvellous she said.”

“It has been so rewarding for me to work on a project that helps the community. It kind of exploded but it has given me pleasure being of some help in these terrible times.”

Annie Bradley from Glenhaven Rotary Club started the Glenhaven Community COVID-19 Mutual Aid Facebook Group as a joint venture with the Friends of Glenhaven.

She said the idea to set up a COVID-19 community help group was based on a UK idea.

“The villages had set up care groups to help people in isolation and I thought it was such a good idea.”

She said Wendy had been a great part of the outreach program.

“We have delivered masks to pharmacies and aged care villages. Wendy has been amazing.”

As well as delivering masks, the group has been picking up post for people.

“We have some amazing volunteers,” said Annie. “We have a roster of people ready to talk to people, pick up groceries, arrange deliveries and do the shopping.”

“We are happy to help anyone. Just give us a call and let us know what we can do.”

To get help call 0401 899 232 between 8am and 8pm. If you want face masks email [email protected]