HELENSBURGH residents have helped produce and donate hundreds of items of personal protective equipment (PPE) to NHS front line workers as the community fightback against coronavirus continues.

Since lockdown restrictions introduced more than five weeks ago forced most businesses to completely cease trading, many shops and staff members have turned their attention towards the nationwide PPE push.

With medical practices and hospital wards throughout the country reporting severe shortages of equipment such as gowns and face masks, local groups and individuals have been chipping in with contributions of vital supplies.

Ryan Garrett, who owns Burgh-based printing business Garrett Designs UK, closed down his operation until further notice due to the Covid-19 outbreak but he has since distributed more than 1,000 visors to front line staff.

Forking out in excess of £4,000 from his own pocket and using leftover stock materials, Ryan is offering his face shields free of charge to anyone who can demonstrate an essential need for them.

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And his kind gesture has been repaid in some part thanks to a community fund-raising appeal set up by close friend Kirsty Foubister.

Kirsty said: “I was astonished to hear the cost of making these face shields and how much money Ryan had already spent without any funding. I think I was also shocked at how many front line key workers were without the necessary PPE too.

“I just thought demand is so high Ryan couldn’t possibly continue to plough thousands into this without any support, so I spoke to some close friends and we came up with the idea of making the fund-raising page interactive.

“I know Ryan is still receiving lots of emails each day requesting more visors, and he is doing his utmost to make sure that everyone receives something.

“It’s a difficult challenge but one I am so proud of him and his fiancée Natalie for taking on and running with. There’s a real sense of community spirit and the support has been overwhelming.”

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More than £1,500 has now been raised to support the effort, with Ryan paying tribute to everyone who has donated so far.

He said: “Every single penny will be put towards making more visors for front line staff.

“I can’t begin to tell you how much this help means to us, and it’s humbling just how much support is available from friends, family and even complete strangers.

“One of the greatest things to come from this horrible situation is just how much people have come together. So much positivity and encouragement that will last months if not years to come.”

Fellow Helensburgh man Jim Hatton has also been donating home-made face shields with more than 250 collected from his house so far.

The retired engineer is using a 3D printer to produce the shields – consisting of a frame, visor and headband – at a cost of less than 50p per finished product, and they have made their way to local and national recipients.

Jim told the Advertiser: “I haven’t charged anyone a penny for these visors. The only thing I have asked is for recipients to consider making a small donation to pay forward the goodwill of those that donated material etc. Every donation is put back into the project.

“My 3D printer is capable of working 24 hours a day but I am not. I’m putting in about 10-12 hours of production time per day, and rather than relaxing and taking a break, I’m anxiously designing modifications to the existing face shields to improve their safety.

“The beauty of these face screens is that it was a community project. Many people contributed material for the clear visor and the headbands.

“I’ve been humbled by the letters of thanks I’ve received from healthcare workers who have received my donations and I’ve been greatly helped in my efforts by many people in the community by their donations of raw materials.”

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Meanwhile Irina Agostinelli, who runs Fabric and Finery in West Clyde Street, has recruited almost 100 volunteers to help sew emergency scrubs, with more than 200 sets of uniforms and bags sent out to local GP surgeries and care homes.

An NHS Highland spokesman said: “We would like to thank the general public and local businesses for the support they have shown to our health and social care staff during what is a difficult time for everyone.

“We would also like to thank our staff for all that they are doing for their local communities.

“The safety of our staff is a priority and we review our stock levels of personal protective equipment on a daily basis to ensure that there are appropriate levels of stock available to meet demand.

“We have also received a number of offers of PPE and other equipment over the last few weeks and we would ask anyone who is thinking of donating equipment to get in touch via our website at nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/COVID19 where they can find further information.”

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