Chichester store staff get behind sewing machines for NHS

The aim of the bags is to stop contamination, the uniform is placed in the bag after their shift and then goes straight into the washing machine.

Cathy Wadey, who works at the Chichester store, said: "I think in the region of 500-700. They went to A&E and some wards at St Richards in Chichester as well as Portsmouth's QA Hospital.

"Some also went to Bognor hospital, various care homes and 30 went to Princess of Wales Hospital in Cambridgeshire.

"And the hard work continues as they are also making masks as we speak

"The whole company has been fantastic supporting the nhs as well as their communities and, i feel as a colleague, its staff. They have kept us up to date with what the company is doing how they are looking into the future to make sure our jobs are as secure as they can be at this very difficult time.

"In this time of stress and worry I know I have my Dunelm Family with me."

A Dunelm Chichester Community Support Group was set up on Facebook where staff asked its customers for their questions and what theycan do for them at this hard time, and the wash bags were suggested.

Dunelm has also retooled its curtain factory to make medical gowns for NHS workers.

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