Coronavirus: Local people rally to provide masks for medics, nurses and carers

There have been reports of a shortage of PPE for some doctors and nurses as they battle with the Covid-19 crisis.

Nearly 9,000 people who have tested positive for the disease have so far died in the UK, including 19 frontline health workers.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust confirmed yesterday (Friday) that 88 patients with the virus had passed away at city hospitals.

The Howling family, who own and run the Sysonby Knoll Hotel in Melton have been making PPE for NHS staff and care workers while the hotel is closed due to the ongoing isolation restrictions.

Gavin Howling and his son James, a Year 13 student at Ratcliffe College, has already made more than 100 pieces of equipment, including shields, or face masks, using their own laser cutters and 3D printers.

Some of the equipment has already been given to local pharmacies, nurses known to us and staff at the town’s Egerton Care Residential Home.

James has been working closely with his father’s contacts at the Rotary Club of Melton Mowbray who funded the filament for his 3D printer.

Ratcliffe College have also loaned their school printer to the family to increase production.

James said: “I have also modified an online design of 3D printed ear protectors to allow fast laser cutting from ice

cream containers.

“There is a big demand for these as workers are wearing masks for much longer periods than they would do normally and are finding their ears get sore from the elastic. These ear protectors allow the elastic to attach behind the head, taking the pressure off the ears.”

It currently costs the family 60p to make each face mask so they are asking for donations from the public - go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sysonbyknoll pledge cash on their fundraising page.

Staff at Melton Mowbray Hospital are wearing some of the 1,800 face shields made by five members of Oakham School’s design and technology department.

They are using 3D printers, laser cutters and metal cutters and delivering the masks to medical staff in Oakham, Peterborough, Lincoln and Market Harborough, as well as Melton.

Go to www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TimWeston4 to help fund continued production.

Meanwhile, a Melton Freemason has turned his hobby into helping save lives in the NHS by also producing face masks on his 3D printer.

Chris Parsons, a member of Rutland Lodge No.1130 in Melton Mowbray for over four years, decided to help after talking to a friend who is a ward nurse at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester.

He began by sourcing a design from the internet to help nurses who were suffering from sore ears as a result of wearing face masks all day. After a few trials and prototypes, a model was ready for use, with an initial delivery of 50 pieces to ward staff.

Having successfully delivered the first batch, Chris turned his attention to another pressing issue, the lack of PPE equipment.

Using a similar material and method, Chris is now designing face masks and, once the prototype has been accepted, he will begin supplying staff at Glenfield Hospital. His efforts have been fully self-funded.

The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Resilience Forum (LRF), a multi-agency partnership made up of representatives from local public services, including the emergency services, local authorities and NHS, has thanked those in the community who have helped provide PPE for health and care workers.

Nick Ruston, leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “The response across the county has been unprecedented and we thank each and every one of you for your support.

“This equipment helps key workers to support our most vulnerable people in their homes, in hospitals and in care homes.

“People across the county have joined together to provide a vital, practical and lifesaving response to this crisis.”

Any organisation in the borough which would like to provide its own stock of PPE for the fight against Covid-19 can deliver it to Melton Fire Station, where it will be distributed from.