A Mansfield photographer who put down her cameras to sew hundreds of uniform washbags and ear protectors for NHS staff and keyworkers has presented the John Eastwood Hospice with a cheque for £2,100

Elizabeth Orridge, of Elizabeth Orridge Photography, made a total of 1,058 items during lockdown, including uniform wash bags, ear protectors and fabric face masks.

“I am so thankful to everyone who has been involved. Together we have raised £2,100,” she said.

“Together we’ve also donated over 700 items to our NHS and keyworkers.

“These have been mainly to local people, but I have posted items to London, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield and more.”

Elizabeth thanked everyone who donated to the fabric fund; donated fabric, ribbon, cotton and buttons; collected uniform wash bags or ear protectors; and anyone who bought a fabric face mask.

Elizabeth, a director at business support group Mansfield and Ashfield 2020, started making uniform washbags and ear protectors funded entirely by public donations.

When the donations started to slow down, but the demand did not, she made fabric face masks and sold them to the public for £3. Each sale of a mask funded two uniform washbags.

“In a time of so much negativity and uncertainty, its been amazing to see just how much community spirit there is,” she added.

“In a time we had to spend apart, I’ve never felt so positive that our community came together to help those on the front line.

“The hospice runs entirely on donations and fundraising, and will have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Elizabeth Orridge is pictured, left, presenting a cheque for £2,100 to Sharon Williams, chief executive of the John Eastwood Hospice.