So Far Sew Good

Shendra!

s we’ve seen again and again around here, when the going gets tough, those not on social media all day get down to actually helping.

Whether it’s volunteer groups or individuals checking on the elderly and vulnerable in their neighbourhood, there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful – and proud – in these dark-ish days.

One such person is Shenda Burchell, who has turned her considerable skills on the sewing machine to very good use by making some much-needed masks in our battle against the spread of Covid-19.

And by joining with over 500 other sewists from around the country under the umbrella group Masks 4 All Ireland, collectively, the gang have made 15,000 masks. Which, in turn, will no doubt help save quite a few lives.

Set up on March 22nd by Mary Murphy, Masks 4 All Ireland now has over 3,000 members, with volunteers not only from Greystones but also Bray, Kilcoole, Kilpedder and Rathdrum. Those who can’t sew are instead sourcing materials, helping with distribution, and generally making sure these masks gets to those who need them most.

People like Greystones mum Samantha Large, who has managed to deck out her radiology team – as well as her two brats, Hannah and Sam – with Shenda’s colourful creations.

“I wear mine on the Dart, in the shops and generally whenever I’m out and about,” says Samantha. “We have to wear full hospital PPE when it comes to the radiology team, and it’s also great to have these masks at home. Hannah has asthma, and with the pollen count high, wears her mask when out walking. Sam, meanwhile, is very keen to do his bit, mainly because he’s gangsta…”

For Shenda, it all started with an Appletree Crafts newsletter back on April 6th. “It just made total sense to me that we should all pull together and get these masks out there,” she says. “You want to help in any way you can, and it felt good to take this skill and make something that people really need…”

Unsurprisingly, the demand has far exceeded the Mask 4 All’s expectations, and that means they’re struggling to keep up. So, if you have a few spare pennies to help them keep their good work, you can donate right here.

“We’ve had doctors and nurses from all over the country getting in touch,” finishes Shenda. “And each one of them will tell you, every single mask makes a difference…”