‘It has gone crazy’: Norfolk mum creates ‘mask tree’ to support community after lockdown
Elaine Day from Attlebrough has set up a mask tree outside her home in the town where people can come and get a homemade or medical mask for free or leave a donation. Any money raised is going to Banham zoo.Byline: Sonya Duncan(C) Archant 2020 - Credit: Sonya Duncan
A town where “kindness” has brought a community together, is now home to a special tree which is helping to keep families safe.
Elaine Day from Attlebrough has set up a mask tree outside her home in the town where people can come and get a homemade or medical mask for free or leave a donation. Any money raised is going to Banham zoo.Byline: Sonya Duncan(C) Archant 2020 - Credit: Sonya Duncan
A tree in the driveway of a family-home in Attleborough, has been providing face masks for whoever needs them.
The idea came from mother-of-three, Elaine Day, who originally started the community Facebook group, ‘A Little More Kindness’, along with Sarah Huddlestone, to cheer up the community throughout lockdown.
But as restrictions ease, she has come up with another way to support those who need it.
Ms Day said: “I found the idea from Facebook page of a little village where they had been putting masks on trees.
Elaine Day from Attlebrough has set up a mask tree outside her home in the town where people can come and get a homemade or medical mask for free or leave a donation. Any money raised is going to Banham zoo.Byline: Sonya Duncan(C) Archant 2020 - Credit: Sonya Duncan
“So I put a call out on our Facebook group for people to donate masks.
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“And my mother-in-law gave me a light up tree which we put outside of our house – and it has just gone crazy.
“Now we have had around 200 masks donated to us, all different sizes, colours and designs, including medical masks.”
MORE: Meet the ladies bringing ‘a little more kindness’ to communities during lockdownOn each branch of the tree a mask sits in a sealed bag and a poster in Ms Day’s window gives guidance on how to take them on and off and advice on how to wash them.
Elaine Day from Attlebrough has set up a mask tree outside her home in the town where people can come and get a homemade or medical mask for free or leave a donation. Any money raised is going to Banham zoo.Byline: Sonya Duncan(C) Archant 2020 - Credit: Sonya Duncan
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Those who take a mask are also asked to make a small, but optional, donation, which will go towards raising money for Banham Zoo.
Ms Day added: I posted it on the community pages, and everyone has said what an amazing idea it is. We have had a really positive response.
“I think about 75 masks have been taken from the tree now. But anybody can come and get these masks - it doesn’t have to be somebody from Attleborough.”
As well as the mask tree, Ms Day has created a place for the community to swap books on her driveway, after she received requests on the ‘A Little More Kindness’ page, from those who are still shielding.
Elaine Day from Attlebrough has set up a mask tree outside her home in the town where people can come and get a homemade or medical mask for free or leave a donation. Any money raised is going to Banham zoo.Byline: Sonya Duncan(C) Archant 2020 - Credit: Sonya Duncan
“The page has reached nearly 1,500 people and it really has been a pillar of support for a lot of people,” she said.
“I have made so many new friends - it has brought the community together.”
