I am delighted to announce that Chrissie Litchfield has been awarded the Wealden Hero Award this week.

Chrissie founded “Scrubbers United”, a group who has been making and supplying PPE such as scrubs, headbands and scrub bags to local nurses, surgeries, hospitals, hospices and nursing homes, as well as services in the surrounding areas including Crowborough, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Edenbridge, Sevenoaks and other areas.

The group includes around 55 volunteers of all ages and abilities, some shielding from Covid-19 themselves. Scrubbers United operated from individual homes, with volunteers sitting alone at sewing machines, cutting patterns and making scrubs to support the local NHS. Chrissie’s idea has brought the community together and created new friendships amongst the volunteers.

Scrubbers United have been relying on donations from the community to purchase materials. Apart from donations of fabrics, threads, elastic and other material, they have raised over £12,000 and spent every penny on more supplies. Chrissie co-ordinated all the volunteers and acted as quality control. The group has made over 650 scrubs and laundry bags, head coverings, and they are still continuing to make face coverings. They have also sourced locally made visors and delivered them to local surgeries.

Chrissie and Scrubbers United have made a huge contribution to our local community. Her passion and determination have brought together a wonderful project, which united the community and helped many frontline workers across Wealden throughout the pandemic. Many thanks for all your work throughout the pandemic and beyond.

The Wealden Hero Awards are kindly supported by Uckfield FM, Kent and Sussex Courier, Sussex Express and Hailsham FM.