Businesses urged to donate protective clothing to the NHS in new collection campaign

A campaign has been launched calling on businesses in South Yorkshire and the East Midlands to donate equipment to protect NHS staff dealing with Covid-19.
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The #ppe4nhs drive is seeking donations from all firms, particularly those in the engineering, manufacturing and construction sectors, who may have cupboards full of unused equipment.

Drop-off points have been set up across the region. Donors simply have to email [email protected] and they will be directed to their nearest one.

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The campaign was launched by Martin Rigley MBE, managing director of Lindhurst Engineering Ltd in Sutton in Ashfield.

Martin Rigley MBE, managing director of Lindhurst Engineering Ltd in Sutton in Ashfield, with a donation of 1,000 masks from SDC Trailers in Mansfield.Martin Rigley MBE, managing director of Lindhurst Engineering Ltd in Sutton in Ashfield, with a donation of 1,000 masks from SDC Trailers in Mansfield.
Martin Rigley MBE, managing director of Lindhurst Engineering Ltd in Sutton in Ashfield, with a donation of 1,000 masks from SDC Trailers in Mansfield.

He said an ‘amazing’ number of businesses used PPE in their day-to-day work.

“Having worked in engineering and manufacturing for nearly 40 years, I know there will now be cupboards and storerooms full of PPE in manufacturing, engineering, construction, pubs, restaurants, nail bars, hairdressers, garages, schools, in fact it’s amazing just the diversity of businesses who use PPE in their day to day work.

“Our NHS desperately needs this PPE and, as a business community we have a duty to get it to them without putting people at risk.”

We understand there is a specific need for:

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• Face masks FFP 2 or FFP3 rated, the rating is marked on each mask.

• Nitrile gloves

• Visors or goggles

• Disposable aprons or overalls

Mr Rigley added: “The items we are collecting are being distributed to all those in need, not just NHS staff.

“We are liaising through the Local Resilience Forums (the LRF is the multi-agency taskforce, supported by the military, in each county) who distribute donations to the place of most need.

“To avoid contact and maintain social distancing, we’ve put a process in place where companies can book a slot and deliver their donations to their nearest drop off centre, at an allocated time without coming into contact with anyone.

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“We will then load up and, at the end of each day, organise collection by the LRF.

“We are now geographically spread with drop off centres in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, South Yorkshire and with Lincolnshire getting established. If we can gather support in other areas to host a drop off centre and co-ordinate delivery times, there’s no reason why we can’t roll this out nationwide”.

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