Super Supporter Proves How a Stitch in Time Can Make a Huge Impact!

It started with a single pattern and a few made for family and friends. But once more and more people started asking about her face coverings, Marlene has been able to sell hundreds (if not thousands!) to her local community in the fight to stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, giving her donations directly to Golddigger Trust! So far, she has raised a staggering £4,300 and still counting!!!

"I wasn't even intending on taking up any sort of fundraising challenge", Marlene told us recently. "At the start of lockdown, I started making scrubs for the NHS to keep myself busy, and sane!" As a result of this, Marlene offered to make face coverings for her family and friends, asking only for a small donation in return, which she gave directly to the charity close to her heart. 

Word soon got out into the local community about Marlene's sewing skills. The demand for face coverings, coupled with the generosity of people who wanted to give a little something back for her efforts proved an effective combination. It was with the interest and help from local volunteers and businesses that Marlene was able to make a much bigger impact than she ever thought possible. "Annie Wright (of Annie's Haberdashery) contacted me, Charlotte found an outlet selling fabric with some great themes including local football clubs and Jenny Coleman at Good Taste kindly offered to sell some in her store. We thought we might sell a dozen... Slight miscalculation!!!"

Marlene admits that she's totally lost count of how many face coverings she's made or even the total donations she's taken since she began! She explains that she cannot take credit alone for her achievement, and she's extremely grateful to those who have helped her to make multiple patterns and sell more coverings than she thought possible. "Thanks to all those who've bought one, two, or more. Big shout out to Annie's Haberdashery, where Lyndsey has been supplying, delivering and generally supporting the production of scrubs all over Sheffield. And a special mention to my grandchildren, Holly and Elijah who have occasionally helped with the ironing process from a safe social distance and paid in biscuits!"

Photo from Good Taste store in Broomhill

You can purchase a face covering made by Marlene at Good Taste in Broomhill, Sheffield. profits are being split equally between TASTE - a charity providing clean drinking water and sanitation in Nigeria and Golddigger Trust.