A SELFLESS soul behind a ‘scrubs hub’ - which provided frontline medics with vital gear - has been recognised in the New Year honours list.

Maxine Grimshaw, from Bury, will be awarded the British Empire Medal for her contribution to the Covid-19 frontline.

At the start of the pandemic, Maxine started a sub-hub group, named ‘The Scrubs Hub’ with close friend, Zoe Sutcliffe after seeing the logistical challenges of transporting equipment to staff across Greater Manchester.

So they decided to focus on Bury, Oldham and Rochdale and asked local firms for fabric and materials donations.

The Scrubs Hub soon grew to 600 members, who raised money to buy fabrics to make the medical scrubs garments for Covid wards, intensive care and A&E units, through a GoFundMe page and social media crowdfunding.

Maxine said: “When this pandemic started, none of us thought it was going to last much beyond a couple of weeks or maybe a month, so if there was something we could do to help our frontline staff, I thought it was the least we could do.

“As it went on, there was such a high demand for scrubs, yet the supply was so low so I think I realised how big of an undertaking it would have to be.

“When I started the Facebook and GoFundMe pages, I was overwhelmed by all the support I got from local businesses, especially because they must have really struggled with the loss of income.

“More and more volunteers joined over time and they all worked so hard, we developed a real camaraderie.

“It was a team effort, and we couldn’t have done it unless we all pulled together.”

Maxine and other volunteers worked tirelessly to provide scrubs hats and bags, which could be washed, removing the risk of cross-contamination.

Maxine added: “More than anything this for the frontline staff, who, as far as I’m concerned, have done so much more than me and they deserve all the credit in the world.

“No matter how bad things got, they persevered and showed us what you can do if you just put your head down and don’t let anything get in your way.

“I think a lot of people have taken stock of the pandemic, because so many have lost loved ones and it has left a slight atmosphere of fear about getting ill.

“But that shouldn’t diminish people’s faith in the importance of volunteering and using whatever skills you have to help out.

“The pandemic still has some things to teach us, and while it’s been difficult, a lot of good has come of it and we’ve all learned some lessons.

“Even in hard times, good things can happen so hold on to that and treasure your memories with your loved ones, it’s one of the most important things in life.”

Maxine and other volunteers would pick up and drop off the equipment across the borough.

To see their fundraiser, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/scrubs-hub-bury-oldham-rochdale-areas