Scrubs for Cambridgeshire is a non-profit organisation started when the pandemic hit in early 2020. Based in offices at Childerley Estates, it is doing good work in providing scrubs for our NHS staff free, and now helping others with sewing activities to help with their mental health. They now need you if they are to stay in their premises for the future.
A bit of history
Founder Gioconda Gomez (Gio for short), is an experienced Fashion Designer (specialist in Bridal wear and Evening gowns). Before the pandemic hit, she ran Art & Sewing Clubs for kids & adults in Cambridge plus Holiday Kids Clubs.
She had to stop working suddenly when COVID-19 happened. But frustrated like many others, she decided to do something positive.
As happened at the time, she noticed that many hospitals needed lots of help, so she asked her friends working for the NHS if their hospitals required scrubs, uniforms or any other items which involved the use of fabrics.
It turns out local hospitals and GP medical Practices needed scrubs and hats. She offered to make 10 scrubs to begin with but soon discovered that more would be needed, up to 150 sets. As a result of the high demand Gio asked her adult students from her sewing club for help and they were very happy to join her.
What is happening now
Gio quickly realised that even with their help and enthusiasm, it would not be enough to make the 150 scrubs needed. So, being a woman of action, she opened up the sewing group to the wider community, who volunteered help and donated fabrics, operating as a non-profit charity.
The work of the charity has now extended to helping people with their mental health, through the sewing activities that they hold. It has been a life saver for many people.
Gio started this work in a tent in her garden, then onwards to some space provided by a kind benefactor in Ely, then found the office space in Childerley Estates where they’ve now been for just over a year. If you are on Facebook, then look up and join their Scrubs for Cambridgeshire Facebook group. I went to visit their creative space this week and was well impressed.
The charity now needs our help if they are going to be able to stay in their current location. They need to pay rent, and that requires a lot of money which as a non-profit, is a challenge for them. This is where I now ask for your help on their behalf.
#ScrubsForCambridgeshire need to raise £16,000 soon, if they are to stay in their current location. It is a very nice space, well suited to what they do, and is local. Please help with whatever you can donate. If you would like to be a sponsor, that would be very welcome too. Just contact me and let’s talk.
Please donate generously on their Justgiving Fundraising Page. Thank you