Hunt supporters in Somerset sewing for those on the front line

Hunt supporters have been working alongside other volunteer seamstresses in the village of Wambrook in Somerset, after a call to help make headbands and large laundry bags for Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton.

Thirteen-year-old Issy Perry volunteered to help after she saw an email from her village email group requesting assistance. She then responded by sending out a plea for further assistance through the Cotley Hunt's email network. Four more volunteers from the hunt have joined the original group of six from the village.

The idea stemmed from when Beverley Jones, a fellow villager, contacted the local hospital to volunteer to help after learning that the National Theatre Costume Makers were making scrubs for the hospitals in London. Although unable to make scrubs, they were asked to make headbands with buttons on for the nurses who were suffering from sore ears as a result of the elastic from their face masks. They were also asked to make large laundry bags which are needed for the staff to use for their contaminated clothing, which currently has to be washed at home due to the hospital laundries being overloaded.

"I'm very proud to be able to help the nurses who are working so hard during the pandemic," explained Issy Perry, whose godmother is a nurse. "It's a great way for the hunt to get involved and all of us who volunteered to sew are pleased to be able to show our appreciation in this way."

Polly Portwin, Head of Hunting at the Countryside Alliance, said: "This is yet another example of hunt supporters working together within their local communities to assist those who are on the front line. Many hunts across the country have become involved in similar acts of goodwill and we are proud that hunting's vital networks are being put to good use during this unprecedented crisis."

The organiser of the working party, Beverley Jones, added: "Since the first delivery of over 200 headbands and 120 scrub bags, we have added scrub caps as requested by Musgrove for the next delivery. We adhere to strict quality control and work closely with the hospital communications team."

One nurse, in response to the group's offer to help, said: "We are all overwhelmed with so much love and support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you are doing". Another one commented that she was "just doing my job" while thanking those who were volunteering and saying they were the ones "going the extra mile".

Issy Perry out hunting