A JAMESTOWN pensioner has been playing her part in the community’s Covid-19 fightback by making masks for charity, raising £1,450 in the process while looking after her husband with dementia.

Eileen Wilson received a lightweight sewing machine for her 80th birthday during lockdown, and immediately got to work making masks for members of her family.

And having caught the mask- making bug, Eileen decided not to stop there, and was soon making more fabric face coverings for charities in the area.

Knowing how much the Alzheimer Scotland charity had helped her husband John understand how mild dementia would have an impact on their lives, Eileen decided she wanted to give something back.

Her daughter, Geraldine Wilkie, told the Reporter: “When we went into lockdown back in March, she kept saying ‘if I had a lightweight sewing machine, I could be making masks for everyone’.

“She had been a brilliant dress maker and had made lots of wedding dresses over the years.

“But her machines were very heavy for her to lift and she could no longer do heavy work, so she gave them away.

“So, I took a few masks into work, which is the NHS, and orders came in fast and furious.

“The family kept her supplied with material. Then everyone she knows took boxes into workplaces and everyone loved them, and they were snapped up.

“Just when she thought she had done all she could, I dropped her off Christmas material, and everyone put orders in for Christmas masks.”

The entire family are proud of Eileen and the work she has done, and Geraldine suggests that people don’t often realise what elderly people can still offer society.

So far, Eileen has contributed more than £1,450 to Alzheimer Scotland, Stepping Stones, Food for Thought and homeless charities from sales of her home-made masks.

“We think she’s fabulous and inspirational at 80 years of age,” Geraldine continued.

“To think she’s helping so many people, we are very proud of her.

“Her body might feel 80 years old, but her mind definitely isn’t, she definitely has a young mind.

“Our elderly have so much to offer and people don’t always realise that.

“Their life experience and fight for life is fabulous.

“She has just put the sewing machine away till after the holidays.

“She won’t be making any more at the moment.

“She said her house is like a tip and she needs to get organised for Christmas!”