Mansfield photographer turns her focus to aiding frontline workers and hospice during lockdown
Elizabeth Orridge swapped her camera for a sewing machine to create more than 800 items including face masks, wash-bags and ear protectors after her photographic commissions were cancelled.
She has so far raised £915 (out of a £1000 goal) for John Eastwood Hospice, which is close to where she lives, via her JustGiving page.
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Hide AdThree days into lockdown, Elizabeth, who specialises in portraits of families, babies and weddings, found that she had lost four months of work. She said: “Thirteen weddings and all my photo-shoots were cancelled. The outbreak meant I had to put down my camera and shut my studio.
“What became increasingly important to me was finding a way to support people working on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.”
She noticed on social media that there was a need for nurse uniform and key worker wash-bags where those exposed to the virus could deposit their clothes to avoid the risk of bringing it home.
Unable to even stitch a straight line Elizabeth learned to sew. She said: “I made a batch of eight wash-bags to start with. When I advertised them on my work platform, they went within twenty minutes.”
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Hide AdAs demand grew, Elizabeth was helped by Material Girl, an arts and crafts shop in Sutton, where she bought patterned cotton and FRV Tailoring, a company that manufacturers equipment for the military, who sponsored other materials that she needed.Tracey Barker, from the hospice, said: “We are extremely grateful to Elizabeth. We have seen a noticeable decline in donations and so this will give our funds a much needed boost.”
To sponsor Elizabeth’s fundraiser, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/elizabethorridgephotographyfundraiser