The community has made 99 wash bags within 48 hours to help medical staff in the NHS.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Jo Ford with one of the wash bagsJo Ford with one of the wash bags (Image: Stephen Rapkin)

Abbey Lane United Reformed Church member Jo Ford, a doctor working in the Covid-19 ward at Addenbrooke’s, asked for help.

She and her colleagues wanted to put scrubs into laundry bags to take home and put into their washing machines without having to touch them.

The requirements were that the bags should be slightly larger than half a pillow case with a draw string at the top and machine washable at 60 degrees.

Rev Caroline Vodden, who lives in Greenways, Saffron Walden, passed on the request to her neighbours.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Some of the wash bagsSome of the wash bags (Image: Stephen Rapkin)

One of them, who has recently moved into the area, provided 10 metres of new Calico and other Greenways residents and church members got involved.

They resurrected old pillow cases, sheets and curtain lining, brought sewing machines out, looked at tutorials online and the Great Greenways Sewing Bee began.

The bags were accompanied by cards and thank you notes.