The Gown

In March a pandemic had been declared and the UK was soon to begin a lockdown.

Every day there was constant news about PPE – a term that would soon be part of our common vocabulary. There was a worldwide shortage of these Personal Protective Equipment as the pandemic swept across continents. The situation was dire.

Three weeks into the lockdown, Mum received an Instagram story from Belinda about needing volunteers to help make PPE surgical gowns. The production was taking place at the Kings Chelsea College – a short 10 minute walk away from home. And so began the story of the PPE GOWN.

A couple of weeks on, Mum took me to see for myself what was happening. There I saw lots of hoomans who were busy sewing …

and sewing

and sewing.

There were those who spent all day cutting layers and layers of fabrics –

But as time went on, the cutting became a lot more efficient.

The fabrics changed colours from time to time. From the original green barrier sheets

to slithering blue plastic sheets

and one day Mum walked in – and the room was filled with white gowns.

She wondered if the fabrics got ‘bleached’ since ‘someone’ suggested bleach was a good idea to kill the virus. LOL!

But she thought the finished garment was actually quite pretty!

And then the gowns got folded again and again and again –

and then they were boxed.

Ready to be picked up every day at 4pm to be taken to the Royal Brompton Hospital to replenish their stock of PPEs.

They needed 20,000 gowns to be delivered to the Royal Brompton Hospital to make up for the shortfall. At least 1000 gowns were required each day and while they were getting supplies from the government, there was not enough. The volunteers kept sewing and they added a few hundreds to each day’s count.

When they reached 10,000 – they cried tears of jubilation.

But there was another 10,000 to go. So they went on – heads down, cutting, folding, sewing, folding, sewing, folding, boxing, delivering. They didn’t stop.

And they reached 20,000 on the 2nd June. A huge sigh of relief. Target met.

Can they do another 10,000 – to be prepared just in case there’s a second wave of the pandemic? But easing of lockdown had begun and the college needed to reopen in July. There was a deadline – 30th June.

Did they make 30,000 PPE surgical gowns in time? Find out what happened …

They sure did! And though it meant we didn’t have Mum all to ourselves for the days she was going in to help, we know it was for a good cause.

Someday when we all look back to the days of lockdown, we will all have different memories and emotions. I know for a certain group of hoomans they will remember fondly the days when The Gown gave them a mission to fulfil.

May’s comment: It was a week ago when the Chelsea Gown Volunteers left the Kensington Chelsea College premises for the last time.

It felt like the last day of Summer Camp – new friends, uncertain start, camraderie, fond lasting memories and feeling a little melancholy after such a high! Together we were determined to make it happen. All the sacrifices of time, the dedication of the team and a lot of positive thinking took us to the very end.

It was 10 weeks and 30,000 gowns made with love.

Ten weeks ago we were mostly strangers when we heeded the call for volunteers to help make PPE surgical gowns at the height of the pandemic. Over 300 people of all ages and walks of life answered the call. We wasted no time and got to work.

Ten weeks on we are a community. The venue where we spent so many hours during the lockdown is now returned to the college, all the sewing machines have been boxed up, all the gowns delivered. There are no more emails with schedules. There will be no more cutting, sewing, folding and boxing.

Some of us will remain friends and we may even run into each other on the streets as we resume our new normal life.

My days are mine again like the early days of lockdown except my life has been made richer by this experiences and these people have renewed my hope in humanity.

I feel extremely proud to have been a part of this inspiring project (Made with Love) and proud to wear the badge.

I must admit I was feeling a little lost a week ago – with no structured plans for the coming days yet grateful for the experiences and glad that we are not desperately trying to get PPE gowns to the frontline staff any more.

Till we meet again.

Some the photos were taken from members of the group. Thank you especially to @charlotteillera for sharing all her lovely photos and videos. Also thanks to @katiavraimakis and @emilykjermanstylist