Dorothée d’Argentré (pictured) of Wandsworth Bridge Road, who led the group of sewing volunteers who formed Fulham Face Masks three months ago
The home-sewing stars of Fulham have hit their £7,000 fundraising target for making face masks, and have distributed the money to four charities.
Led by Dorothée d’Argentré of Wandsworth Bridge Road, the group of sewing volunteers who formed Fulham Face Masks three months ago achieved their goal this week, benefiting NHS Charities Together, St Mungo’s – to tackle homelessness, Hammersmith & Fulham AgeUK and the World Land Trust, which protects threatened habitats.
“Our £7,000 target has been reached, and the money transferred,” a delighted Dorothée declared, having set up Fulham Face Masks with pal Bérangère Chauvet and friends Funke and Eloise from west London’s French community at the start of lockdown.
Using their sewing machines at home to make the fabric masks, the volunteers saw a fresh surge in demand when the wearing of face coverings was made compulsory on public transport.
By recycling cotton sheets and duvet covers, and cutting up pieces of spare material, the volunteers were able to create zingy patterned masks which were then delivered by bicycle to addresses in SW6, SW7, SW10 and SW15, while orders from further afield were posted in compostable envelopes.
Dorothée, 47, has made 1,300 masks herself. “My technique has improved a lot,” she said. “I have soft nice elastics now, masks are smaller on the face and you don’t need to unfold them anymore.”
As well as selling the masks to benefit charities, many have been donated free to key frontline workers in H&F.
She is continuing to make and sew to order, from £10 with free delivery at her Etsy shop page.
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