A FAMILY owned costume producer in Christchurch has traded sequins for polycotton to help make scrubs for healthcare workers.

Carry On Costumes have answered the call to arms to help make protective equipment and clothing for frontline health workers by making clothing for hospital and healthcare professionals.

The Christchurch based company which has made costumes for West End shows including Big The Musical and Elf The Musical had finished making costumes for Sleepless, a musical romance, based on the original screenplay Sleepless in Seattle.

However, with theatre and music venues among those closed due to the coronavirus, the business has adjusted its set-up in order to help the NHS.

Director and owner Sue Simmerling, who is helped by her daughters Carly and Ellie, said: “We have all been sent home but since then we have been thinking of ways to help

“We know there is a national shortage of PPE and many hospital and surgeries are struggling to cope. We saw a campaign from Dulcie Scott who is another costume designer called Help Dress Medics and we wanted to get involved

“She sent us a couple of hundred metres of fabric and our first batch will be going to Guy Hospital up in London.”

The crowdfunding page has already raised nearly £27,000 for costume makers around the country to buy rolls of polycotton and make more scrubs uniform.

Producers of Sleepless, Michael Rose and Damian Sanders from Throop, have helped the costume makers secure a further 800 metres of fabric to make more protective clothing

The staff at Carry On Costumes, who are volunteering their time during the lockdown, are planning on making 70 outfits to be sent to the Guys Hospital in Southwark, but have highlighted the demand for supplies in Dorset and across the country.

“The shortage is phenomenal,” said Sue. “It is not just hospital staff that need it, any healthcare worker is being told to wear this uniform.”

She added: “We were contacted by someone from Southampton hospital who said they are looking for 609 scrubs.

“We want to help people within our area and instead of sending the scrubs around the country, keeping the manufacturing within the area we are.”