A SIX-year-old boy with a condition making it a struggle to breathe is working round the clock making protective gear for NHS workers.

Patrick Dixon has been busy creating face masks and headbands on his sewing machine.

Patrick, the youngest member of community group Taunton Scrubbers, is supervised by his mother, Eva.

She said: "I'm very proud to have taught him to sew. He's even inspired local scouts to have a go at sewing for the NHS."

She added: “Covid-19 has brought some much needed awareness to cystic fibrosis, which Patrick has.

"He has needed to wear a mask from a very early age, and used to get a lot of stares. This is one of the reasons why he wanted to start making masks and other items for everyone when it became a necessity for the whole country.”

Patrick, who attends Taunton School, has been unable to leave his home for weeks, but has been home schooled and had daily lung physio, while giving up his play time to continue sewing.

He said: "I’m used to having to be careful about germs all the time, but it must feel very scary for all the people who are not used to it.

"This is why I wanted to help. Also, I go to the hospital a lot to see my CF team and I want to help keep them safe, because they help me all the time.”

Taunton Scrubbers, a voluntary group founded by Susan McDonnell, consists of hundreds of people making free scrubs and other protective items for the NHS and other carers. So far around 3,000 items have been distributed.

Local hospital departments, care homes, GP surgeries and other carers can contact Taunton Scrubbers and state what protective equipment they need - scrubs, hair caps, headbands or scrub bags.

The group volunteers will make them in their own homes using fabric and material either bought by themselves or donated or sponsored by shops and individuals.

Some volunteers help with delivering items and materials, fabric donations collections, sewing machine repairs, administration and storing and sorting completed items.

Eva said: “This is a project all of us are incredibly proud of and it has really brought the whole community together in an effort to try help out those who are working so hard to keep us safe.”