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.

Three 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.”

As 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