Furniture firm DFS makes gowns for Doncaster hospital after woman's appeal

Local resident Sam Foster worked alongside the Carcroft-based firm to make PPE for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals Trust.

Working with the hospital to make sure that the items were made to a high-end specification, the gowns were manufactured at DFS’ upholstery factory using materials sourced and paid for by the furniture company.

Sam’s idea was to support her sister, Suzanna Cullum, a sister on the Assessment and Treatment Centre at Bassetlaw Hospital.

Ken Agwuh of DBTH said: “We would like to thank Sam for her efforts in getting the ball rolling with this donation and the team at DFS who donated the material, their time and their expertise. The gowns are a welcome donation to our stock of PPE available to colleagues to help us keep them safe.”

Sam contacted Harvey Ellis, manufacturing director at DFS and delivered 1,000 gowns once they were made.

Sam said: “I wanted to do something to help my sister and her colleagues through this challenging time and sourcing some PPE was the best way I could think of to keep them safe. DFS have been amazing with their support and we couldn’t have done it without their generosity.”

Scott Fishburn of DFS said: “With our headquarters based in Doncaster we were honoured to get involved and contribute PPE to our local hospitals. I’m so proud of our team of volunteers in our upholstery factories who turned their skills to making gowns during lockdown.”