A Congleton cabin crew employee has been using her spare time to produce wash bags for the NHS nurses at Macclesfield Hospital, and the North West Ambulance Service during the coronavirus pandemic.

When Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the country was going into lockdown, Alison Cann, of Lune Close, was on her last emergency flight home via Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Mrs Cann, who works full-time for TUI and currently furloughed, wondered how she could help the NHS key workers in the fight against Covid-19.

Mrs Cann told Nub News: "During my time with TUI we are highly trained in many skills, safety and first aid being two of our transferable skills. TUI have setup a contact link with NHS support, and St John Ambulance to volunteer, due to our skill sets.

"Our London Gatwick crew have been volunteering to go to the Nightingale hospital set up in East London."

With previous working experience in sewing, Alison reached out to friend Jenny Joyce, who owns Bubblitex Farm Fabrics in Macclesfield, to see if there was any spare fabric that she could use to make wash bags.

Mrs Cann has known Mrs Joyce for the last 20 years through going to her store for curtain fabrics.

After acquiring fabrics, Alison, who has been accustomed to flying for the last 27 years contacted friend Gail Thurnock.

The pair worked together 30 years ago at RH Lowes, where Alison worked in design and Gail was the sample machinist.

Helen Booth, who went school with Alison, reached out to her on Facebook and expressed her interest in helping in the wash bag production. Gail's friend Sue Smith has also joined the group.

Between the quartet, they have made 300 fabric wash bags with ribbons in the last week for the nurses at Macclesfield Hospital to put their uniform into, which have either been delivered or pushed through staff members doors at their homes.

Mrs Cann said: "The frontline uniform wearers are transferring their uniforms home in plastic bags, which then have to be destroyed.

"By using the washable wash bag, uniforms can be transferred home safely, the bag and contents goes straight into a 60 wash. This is then ready to re-use on the next shift having less impact on the environment and reducing cross contamination."

The bags are made from cotton curtain lining and take around 10 minutes to make, and Alison's only concern now is how to access further fabrics.

She added: "Jenny has been so supportive. Whenever I have asked for further material, she has been happy to help and leaves it outside her barn for me to pick up."

Alison made eight wash bags out of an old king-sized duvet, to which her husband Mike jokingly said, "you don't want to use an old duvet that's something you would do in a war".

Mrs Cann added: "We are at war with this virus and as long as these old duvets are washed, they can be used and can help make a difference."

Alison also gave a wash bag to the North West Ambulance Service paramedic who came to rescue her Dad Roy Shuker, after he managed to slip out of bed onto the floor at his Congleton property on Thursday morning.

Mr Shuker is being cared for by Julie Edgar and Jayne Venn from JA Edgar home care team and Be Helpful home care.

Mrs Cann stated that her work car park south of Manchester Airport has been set up as a coronavirus testing site.

Reflecting on what impact coronavirus has had on TUI, Mrs Cann concluded: "As a company we had put a lot of resources into this summer and made £2m extra seats available due to the expected demand with Thomas Cook going bust.

"It's crazy how things have escalated, but I am so proud to work for a company that managed to bring 45,000 stranded passengers back via rescue flights.

"Things do feel strange right now, when I met my husband I was flying and that's all we've known ever since.

"This new routine is taking time to get used to but keeping myself occupied making these bags is giving me a focus and an opportunity to show appreciation to those on the front-line."

For coronavirus TUI travelling information click here.