Balloonists turn mask makers in battle against Covid-19

Over the last number of months, many businesses have had to adapt their services to serve the demand of the general public in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Irish Balloon Flights, the Trim-based commercial hot air balloon company, was no different, transforming their unique leisure service into a business designing and manufacturing high quality and very funky face coverings. BobbyB Elegant Creations is the brainchild of world record balloon pilot Pauline Baker and her colleague Malcolm White, who creatively adapted their skill set to succeed in this unprecedent time.

Bobby B Elegant Creations - named after Pauline’s childhood nickname - is producing a wide range of high quality, reusable multi-layer 100 per cent cotton facemasks for adults and children, manufactured locally. Pauline and Malcolm, whose floating office is normally at 5,000 feet above ground, are currently grounded due to the covid-19 pandemic. They operate Ireland’s only registered hot air balloon repair centre, where they take in repairs for balloons the size of a 10-storey high building. They decided to combine their sewing and craft skill set and made donated facemasks for front line health workers across the country in conjunction with the Masks 4 All Meath and Boyne Valley Masks charity initiative, when PPE was in short supply - over 50 per cent of their production was for donations.

Pauline, who studied dress design in Grafton Academy, saw the need for more casual, colourful, and personable face coverings that both adults and children could wear while we adapt to our ‘new normal’ circumstances. The masks are created using three layers of 100 per cent high quality cotton, double sewn seams using industrial grade thread for optimum longevity. The reusable masks are fully washable at 60 degrees C.

“Running a small business that was solely dependent on bringing people together was a daunting experience once social distancing was introduced," says Pauline. "After the initial shock, our mindset changed to firstly looking at ways we could help frontline workers and, secondly, to help to pay towards the donated face masks and some of the existing business overheads. We are delighted with the response and support we have received locally and nationally to our wide selection of face masks/coverings and we look forward to being able to continue to produce them while we live alongside this virus”.