Stourport mum makes masks for others after beating coronavirus

Natalie Emms, 45, began experiencing symptoms four weeks ago and is only just starting to recover from the virus, although still spending much of her days in bed.

The mum-of-one, who works as a senior carer at Ravenhurst Care Home, began sewing the protective face masks from old pillow cases as a thank you to family members who have supported her through the illness.

Stourport carer Natalie Emms with daughter Kimberley Underwood

She told the Shuttle: "I’m still recovering at the moment. I had a temperature over 39 and I was woozy and couldn't get out of bed.

"My sister has been helping us out a lot lately and doing shopping for the family and I wanted to make sure she had something she could wear to protect her.

"I was just sat in bed all day so I thought I'd go onto Youtube and learn how to make the masks.

Natalie Emms and sister Beverley Griffiths

"I made one for her as she had run out of disposable ones and then made one for my daughter and my husband and it just grew from there."

Natalie has now made 10 masks for family members as well as colleagues from the Lickhill Road North care home.

"I'm doing two to three a day at the moment," said Natalie. "I don't have a sewing machine so I'm doing them all by hand and I'm still quite weak - my body has been through quite a bit.

Stourport's Natalie Emms is making protective masks out of old pillow cases for family members and colleagues

"I just wanted to protect the people that have helped me out.

"I've had a few messages from people wanting me to make one for them, so I might have to invest in a sewing machine!"

Natalie's older sister Beverley Griffiths, 48, said: "She has been really poorly and it's been quite traumatic for the family. I know thousands of people are going through it but when you see it for yourself with a family member or a close friend, it's just awful.

"It's great to see her sat up in bed making these masks. I'm really proud of her."