With the help of Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP), LABC partner Stephen Greaves from SG Design Studio Architectural Services is on target to make and supply more than 20,000 visors to front line NHS staff, GP surgeries, First Responders, care homes and hospices, in aid of the dog charity Broken Souls Rescue.
The charity, which rescues unwanted or abandoned pets from vets, council pounds and private emergency calls from the general public, hopes to raise a total of £5,000 to fund visor production.
DBCP is one of a number of businesses paying for the materials for the masks which are then donated free of charge to workers in healthcare settings.
Stephen, who is volunteer at Broken Souls Rescue, was inspired to produce the masks after talking to Simeon Cornes, a building inspector for DBCP. In his role as a Local Authority Building Control partner, Stephen works closely with Simeon. After hearing how Simeon’s wife, who is a nurse, desperately needed PPE in her workplace. Stephen used his office’s 3D printer which is more used to printing architectural designs, to create an initial batch of 200 visors.
Word spread and now, with an army of volunteers, Stephen is hoping to supply more than 20,000 masks to healthcare and essential workers. Already thousands have been delivered to GP surgeries, hospitals, care homes and hospices around the county.
Stephen said: “Fundraising during lockdown is particularly difficult so the opportunity to both support the national pandemic effort locally and raise money for the charity is something I am delighted to be able to do.
“We are relying on donations to enable us to purchase the material used to make the visors. Other than this, all time, cutting and expenses is given from volunteers. Without these volunteers, this would not be possible.”
As well as providing funding for materials and production costs, the team at DBCP is also helping distribute the visors. Hundreds have already been gratefully received by Ashgate Hospicecare, Whittington Moor Surgery and Lime Tree House in New Whittington.
Ali Ward-Foster, Partnerships Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, thanked DBCP for the donation, saying: “We are incredibly grateful for the support of our community and local businesses like DBCP who have donated essential PPE supplies to the hospice. The equipment not only keeps our patients and staff safe but also enables loved ones to spend precious time together when it matters most. For that we cannot thank you enough.”
Val Johnson, Practice Manager at Whittington Moor Surgery, commented: “They are much appreciated and useful to protect staff against COVID.”
Karen Mitchell at Lime Tree House added: “It is reassuring to know there is community spirit at these difficult times. The donation has gratefully received by us all at Limetree House.”
Neil Johnson, Managing Director of DBCP said: “These are unprecedented and trying times for everyone and I am delighted that we have been able to make both a practical and financial contribution to the COVID-19 effort.
“The DBCP team were only too happy to help deliver the masks. Being able to get involved in some small way with both the charity and help local key workers has lifted spirits across the company.”
To donate to Broken Souls Rescue, please visit www.broken-souls-rescue.org/donate.html