THIS BRIDAL dressmaker has been busy helping out staff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital by making more than 3,000 scrubs while her shop is closed, as a part of a local team of volunteers, throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Debbie Rees, a Wokingham resident who runs her own Bridal company on Rances Lane, has been helping out NHS staff the Royal Berkshire Hospital by making scrubs, among a team of volunteers from Henley at Phyllis Court.

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David Rees, her husband, said: "She felt like she wanted to do something to help, to give something back.

"Being the selfish husband I was, I advised her not to make the scrubs, wanting to scrimp and save for her business, as well as concerns for her elderly parents we were dropping essential foods to throughout lockdown, but she was determined."

So far, the team has made more than 3,500 scrubs for hospital staff.

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Mrs Rees had trained as a cutter at Gieves and Hawkes, being the first woman to do the job on Savile Row at the time, and has been using this skill to make the doctor's scrubs.

Mr Rees added: “For three weeks, Debbie has been working on shift and often staying late, whilst keeping her staff and their jobs safe.

"The shop was a lifelong dream of hers and I was worried we wouldn't be able to keep running the company.

"My wife however made sure that she would make the scrubs and has promised all three of our staff their jobs are safe."