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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Callum Carson

West Lothian woman raising funds for St John's Hospital by making hundreds of face masks

A Broxburn woman is helping to keep people safe during the Covid-19 pandemic - and raising funds for St John’s Hospital at the same time.

Fiona Forbes has spent her time in lockdown making over 300 face masks with profits going towards the Oncology Unit at the hospital.

Fiona (pictured below) who suffered from suspected Covid-19 in March, makes figure-skating dresses and told the Courier that she was delighted to be able to do her bit to help keep people safe.

She said: “I’m in the high risk category and had suspected Covid in March, before all the testing was ramped up.

“I had a temperature and a constant cough. It wasn’t nice at all. My GP told me to go to St John’s but I wasn’t so bad that I needed to stay there or be put on a ventilator so I was able to manage it all myself which I’m thankful for.

“I make figure skating dresses and obviously nobody is figure skating just now so I thought this was a good idea. I’ve made around 300 to 350 masks so far.

“It’s not something that I’ll be doing forever but I thought it was a nice thing to do just now and hopefully it raises some funds.

She added: “The staff at the Oncology Unit are always great and helpful. I go there to get checked every year and the money will go towards the staff if they need anything.”

The masks, which cost £4 for adults and £3 for children come in a variety of different designs and have been given the seal of approval from Fiona’s GP.

She commented: “I’m just trying to do my bit because it’s a pretty scary time just now and everyone is having to adapt to all the changes.

“It’s a pretty basic design, just two layer pleated. I spoke to my GP about it to make sure the design was acceptable and they said it was perfect.

“I get material ordered and make a few but I can make up a number of designs to suit. I’ve done a few for staff at nurseries because they’re worried about how it will affect the kids when they go back.”

For more information, including how to order your own face mask, visit Fiona’s Funki Face Coverings on Facebook.

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