Hassocks ‘super stitcher’ Judy Tilbury, 80, sewing face masks for the community

Judy Tilbury from Hassocks – known locally as the ‘super stitcher’ – is making face masks for anyone who needs one during the coronavirus outbreak.
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The 80-year-old, who has been sewing for more than 50 years, has been isolated in her home in Farnham Avenue for three weeks as she is considered to be more vulnerable due to having scarring on her lungs.

But she said she wants to do her bit in the fight against Covid-19 – and has made 40 masks for people in the community already.

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“I am willing to make them for whoever wants one,” she said.

Hassocks resident Judy Tilbury with her handmade face masksHassocks resident Judy Tilbury with her handmade face masks
Hassocks resident Judy Tilbury with her handmade face masks

“They don’t take long – I can make one in 11 minutes.

“All I ask for is £1 in return and I am donating all the funds to Headway East Sussex.”

Judy is an avid swimmer and was once told she had the blood pressure of a fit teenager.

She has completed charity swims at The Triangle in Burgess Hill – raising thousands of pounds for Headway East Sussex – a charity that is close to her heart after losing her husband Roy to a brain tumour.

Judy Tilbury wearing one of her masksJudy Tilbury wearing one of her masks
Judy Tilbury wearing one of her masks
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She also went through the tragedy of losing her son Mathew when he was just 24. He died when he tried to break up a fight in Brighton in 1996 and was struck on the head by a baseball bat.

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Judy, 78, channels grief into swimming at The Triangle in Burgess Hill

But she thanks swimming and sewing for keeping her ‘sane’.

“If it hadn’t been for The Triangle and my sewing clients, I wouldn’t be here. My daughter says I live by the three S’s – swimming, sewing and sanity!” she said.

She added that she has had so much positive feedback from people since making the masks.

“I am thrilled,” she said, adding: “People feel so much safer with the mask on – and they must help.”

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She said the coronavirus pandemic had left her feeling ‘scared stiff’ but thanked her ‘wonderful’ neighbours for helping her while in isolation.

“They have been absolutely brilliant,” she commented.

“It is so frightening how easy it can be transmitted.”

People who would like a face mask can contact Judy by calling 01273 843477 and they can arrange to pick one up.

But she is desperately asking if anyone has any white elastic – preferably a quarter inch wide – that they could leave at her door.