Nine-year-old from Loughborough makes PPE headbands for local hospice

A Loughborough family have made and donated headbands to us, as we continue to support the NHS, as well as providing vital end-of-life care.

Irwin Burrows, his mum Zinnia Gonzalez, a lecturer at the University of Nottingham, and dad, Paul Burrows, wanted to show their support to Rainbows after hearing that we were supporting the NHS in the fight against coronavirus.

Starting in the Easter holidays, the family made and donated the headbands to support the Care Team working within the hospice.

Zinnia said: “We first heard about Rainbows, at Steps in Shepshed and hear the great job they do with less able children, and their families, and Irwin’s school, Fairfield Prep School, are supporting them as their charity of the year. We also saw on the Rainbows website about the great work they’re doing to support the NHS.

“As a family, we wanted to show our support and to help Rainbows in some way. During the Easter holidays we decided to make the headbands with buttons on the side, so their care staff can wear these with the face masks, to provide more comfort.”

Head of Nursing & Clinical Operations at Rainbows, Tony Martin said: “We can’t thank Zinnia, Irwin and Paul enough for their wonderful donation of the headbands. Our Care Team are able to attach their face masks to the buttons on the headband rather than around the ears, providing more comfort.  

“Along with the headbands, it was lovely to receive a hand-drawn rainbow picture from Irwin, with some lovely words too. This certainly made our Care Team smile.

“It’s great to see the local community continuing to support the work we do, particularly during these difficult times.”

Along with supporting the NHS by looking after children and young people from local children’s hospitals, Rainbows are continuing to provide vital end of life care and its Family Support Team, which provides advice and counselling to hundreds of families in need, including those who are bereaved, are offering virtual, telephone and online services.