It started with three friends going for a walk (pre-restrictions) – and has blossomed into a fantastic community response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Now, innovative and kind-hearted members of Roscommon ICA and Knockcroghery Knitters are mass producing face masks for frontline workers in local nursing homes, with several hundred of the protective items already distributed.
Anna Flanagan, one of the Roscommon ICA ladies involved in the initiative, explains where the original idea came from.
“Myself and two friends – Will Keane and Cliona Baker – were out for a walk a few weeks ago. We were just talking about how we might be able to help, and it was either Will or Cliona who suggested that we could look into making masks”.
They made contact with relations who work in hospitals in Dublin, and were asked to send on samples. However, their budding initiative coincided with the arrival into Ireland of a consignment of masks from China. That, combined with the ‘red tape’ which would have been involved in supplying hospitals, led to the friends following a different course. Anna mentioned the idea to Roscommon ICA – and received immediate support. When the ladies then approached local nursing homes, they received an enthusiastic response – and a big demand for masks.
Now, a few weeks on, about eight members of Roscommon ICA have between them already made over 400 masks. Other members have donated money towards purchasing the fabric (the masks are “100% cotton”). Knockcroghery Knitters have come on board too (one member, Debbie McGrath, has made over 200 masks). They’ve been supplying local nursing homes, carers and others.
Everyone in Roscommon ICA and Knockcroghery Knitters has been very supportive, as has Frances in Frances’ Finishing Touches. The ladies would also like to acknowledge the support of An Post.
Meanwhile, there’s a social benefit for those involved too.
Anna Flanagan: “The ladies in Knockcroghery Knitters and Roscommon ICA are great, very supportive of one another, very friendly. This lockdown would be a lot more difficult without their great company on WhatsApp!”
