A 'Bags of Love' project to help vulnerable Fifers

Two Fife women have launched a new project to help local shops across the Kingdom who are supplying vulnerable people with home deliveries.
By Debbie Clarke
Published 2nd Apr 2020, 10:43 BST
Updated 2nd Apr 2020, 14:55 BST
An example of one of the Bags of Love which Fife crafters are being invited to help make. Pic: Susan Forrester.An example of one of the Bags of Love which Fife crafters are being invited to help make. Pic: Susan Forrester.
An example of one of the Bags of Love which Fife crafters are being invited to help make. Pic: Susan Forrester.

Aga McGlasson and Susan Forrester have never met, but have teamed up to make fabric carrier bags for local shopkeepers who can then fill them with essentials for vulnerable customers. The bags are provided free of charge.

Aga and Susan are appealing for help from crafters to make as many as possible as quickly as possible.

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Aga explained: “Bags of Love 2020 was created after I came across an online post from a shop in Dumbarton.

Angus Nicoll, managing director of Peter Greig and Co, Victorian Linen Works in St Clair Street, Kirkcaldy. Pic: George McLuskie.Angus Nicoll, managing director of Peter Greig and Co, Victorian Linen Works in St Clair Street, Kirkcaldy. Pic: George McLuskie.
Angus Nicoll, managing director of Peter Greig and Co, Victorian Linen Works in St Clair Street, Kirkcaldy. Pic: George McLuskie.

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“They wanted people to make fabric bags for their deliveries as they are much less risky than plastic bags on which the virus can survive for days.”

“I talked about it with Susan, and we both thought that would be a good idea to develop further. There are a growing number of farm shops, pharmacies and independent food shops that are now offering deliveries to the most vulnerable.

“Our membership is growing rapidly. Demand is increasing even faster so we need more volunteers.”

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“Susan and I have also been getting in touch with local businesses explaining the process of Bags of Love 2020.”

Aga said the beauty of the project is that anyone with very basic sewing skills can help.

She continued: “They don’t even need to own a sewing machine, as the bags can be hand stitched.

“We will be launching a project for families, called Bags4Us so families can work together on bags for their own or friend’s shopping, giving the children a unique learning opportunity about the benefits of fabric bags over plastic and the important of helping others and being an active part of the community.”

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Susan has secured help from David Drummond Sewing Machines in Edinburgh. David has offered to act as a hub to receive supplies from companies wanting to support the project.

She has also secured support from bespoke weavers Peter Greig & Co Ltd in Kirkcaldy who are supplying natural linen fabric.

Angus Nicoll, managing director of Peter Greig & Co, said: “The benefit of using linen is that it is naturally anti bacterial, microbial, wicking, allergenic, eco friendly, vegan and can be washed at a high temperature.

“It will also have a long reuseable and recycleable life. We are a small family business with a long local history and are pleased to do all we can to help these types of initiatives.”

Anyone wanting more information can find the group on Facebook by typing in Bags of Love 2020. Or email Aga at: [email protected]

Related topics:FifeKirkcaldy