Fife community gets behind mask making initiative

Following Scottish Government advice that face coverings be used in limited circumstances, such as when in enclosed spaces, as a precautionary measure, Community Aid St Andrews (CASA) started coming up with plans to make more masks.

Thanks to the generous support of donors such as the St Andrews Community Trust, Rotary Club of St Andrews and community council, CASA was able to move quickly to respond. Within a few days a volunteer organising group was assembled and, when CASA put out the call, more than 50 people volunteered to help with production in the first 24 hours.

CASA will be sourcing and providing volunteers with pack containing all the required instructions and materials to make 10 masks each, initially. Masks will then be ‘sold’ for donations to help make more face coverings and to support other community initiatives, with priority given to the vulnerable.

CASA representative Chris Wallard said: “It’s quite possible that, as we move into the next stages of this crisis, we will need to switch to regular use of masks in enclosed public places.

“It’s been amazing to see the generous response from so many people clearly happy to donate their free time to help the wider community.”

Volunteer Susan Bell added: “I am very excited to be volunteering as part of the CASA mask taskforce. A few weeks ago, I dusted off my sewing machine and have already learned a lot of new skills, while experimenting with making face coverings. I have ‘met’ so many new people via the Facebook group and there is a great deal of enthusiasm building in the community as so many people pull together to produce and distribute these masks.”

If you’re interested in volunteering to help make face coverings, or if you are aware of any local shops who can help with distribution, please email [email protected] or call on freephone 0300 0122014.