Volunteer mask-makers from Cornwall given Points of Light award from Prime Minister
Lotty and Danni have made over 14,000 face masks
Two women from Cornwall who have made over 14,000 cotton face masks since the pandemic started have received the Prime Minister's daily Points of Light award.
Lotty Eccleston, from Camborne, and Danni Wills, from Redruth, had never met prior to the pandemic but came together after Danni shared on an online group that she was making some masks for family and friends, and Lotty offered to help.
Now, they have been making between 100-150 masks a day, with the project running solely on donations, and primarily focusing on sending soft, cotton masks and ear protectors to NHS workers to wear while they are not working.
They have been designing seasonal masks, such as pumpkins for during Halloween and poppies for Remembrance, and are currently working on producing festive face coverings for use over Christmas.
In a personal letter to Lotty, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
"By producing over 14,000 soft cotton face masks, you have brought comfort to our fantastic NHS workers. As they work so hard to keep us safe, you too have worked incredibly hard to look after them with these wonderful gifts."
In a personal letter to Danni, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
"I was amazed to hear of your efforts, alongside your daughter Claire, to craft thousands of reusable face masks to keep our NHS workers and communities safe.
"I know you do this with no thought of recognition or reward, but allow me to thank you on behalf of the entire country. Congratulations!"
Reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement, Lotty and Danni said:
"We were amazed by the news of the award. Things like this don't happen to us - we are a small team of three (two sewing and one taking orders) and it was started to help us get through lockdown, and it has just gone mental. But to have an award given to us is the cherry on the cake."
Lotty and Danni are the 1547th and 1548th recipients of the Prime Minister’s UK daily Points of Light award, which was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a difference where they live.
Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements, including hundreds of volunteers who have been recognised for how they have served their communities through the coronavirus pandemic.