Rachel shows an incredible generosity and kindness for the elderly at a local care home in Bruton…

Today, Rachel donated 24 beautifully made face masks to Mr. Simon Bates, who is responsible for the incumbents of Hugh Sexey’s Hospital in the High Street in Bruton. Rachel met in the grounds of the 17^th century alms house with Simon, King’s Deputy Head and her mother Natalie.

Her research has been incredible and she has included 3 protective layers with tight woven 100% cotton fabric. Rachel has included a pocket to include an additional disposable filter or a surgical mask can be inserted, but she is keen that resources are not taken away from the NHS. Rachel has also made a smaller pocket at the bridge of the nose to insert a pipe cleaner, to give the mask a tighter fit. Each gift bag contains a mask in a beautiful fabric, 2 pipe cleaners to ensure a snug fit around the nose and 2 shoelaces that act as ties.

Rachel started from scratch. Instead of returning to South Africa at the end of term, the family took the snap decision to stay in Charlton Musgrove in a friend’s cottage close to King’s. Rachel borrowed the School sewing machine, bought all the materials online, purchased an ironing board and set to work. Each mask takes her about 4 hours to make and it is all packaged up by her family to create gift bags. Her older brother Ross, an Old Brutonian, (Old House) has been helping Rachel put the gifts together.

Simon said ‘Everyone at the Home will be thrilled with these masks'.

Rachel is now setting to work to make masks for all of her teachers at King’s, ready for our return.