Kettering crafting fundraiser Elaine 'blown away' by support for Corby Lakelands face mask total

A Kettering crafter has completed her face mask fundraiser for Corby's Lakelands Hospice raising an amazing £11,000 in memory of her beloved neighbour.

In April, Elaine Ashby started making face masks, bags and ear savers for KGH and NHS frontline medical staff to help in the battle against Covid-19 hoping to raise a few hundred pounds.

When her beloved King Street neighbour Alan Slow, a user of Lakeland's facilities, died of non-coronavirus related illness, Elaine had carried on her crafty fundraiser in his name hoping she might reach £5,000.

She said: "I'm blown away and very humble and grateful to everyone who has supported us. It has been an experience I won't ever forget."

Joining her in the sewing marathon were volunteers, Maureen Burke and Tracy Folwell, between them, the three sewers have made more than 3,500 cotton masks for use by schools, companies, care homes and individuals. By the start of July, Elaine's team reached the £10,000 milestone .

Elaine said: "It all started off with Alan. The day before he died he gave me £100 for a sewing machine Alan was a lovely and generous man. He always said that he took me on as an extra daughter.

"He had COPD and went to Lakelands for a ten-week course and he absolutely loved it, especially the social aspect."

Mobile haridresser Elaine, 52, devoted her lockdown to sewing with most days putting in a 12-hour shift in her craft room, only stopping for the occasional cup of tea.

"Sewing has been my solace. I went over to Lakelands a couple of weeks ago to see where the money will go. Now I've put my name down to be a volunteer in the coffee shop. I'll help to make the teas and socialise with the patients.

"We're also planting a tree in the garden in Alan's memory. I'm very proud that we've raised this much money."

Elaine will feature on BBC Northampton's breakfast show on Monday morning when she will be interviewed live from her garden.

Paul Marlow, Lakelands Fundraising manager said: "What Elaine has achieved is just incredible. Everyone at Lakelands is very proud and grateful."

Lakelands Hospice provides care, free of charge for people in Corby and the surrounding villages, living with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, COPD, MS and advanced heart failure. It does not receive any government or NHS funding and relies totally on charitable donations and fundraising events.

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