Businesses in Mansfield and Ashfield are being urged to play their part in an appeal to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to support NHS staff fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

As well as making donations of equipment, businesses may also be able to help by acting as drop-off points for equipment.

Launched by Martin Rigley, managing director of Lindhurst Engineering Ltd in Sutton, and supported by Gary Jordan, chair of the Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 Business Group, the #ppe4nhs campaign is seeking donations of unused PPE from local businesses, particularly those in the engineering, manufacturing and construction sectors.

The appeal follows a donation of PPE by Malcolm Hall, of Mansfield’s Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies.

It is understood there is a specific need for:
• Face masks FFP 2 or FFP3 rated, the rating is marked on each mask.
• Nitrile gloves
• Visors or goggles
• Disposable aprons or overalls

To avoid contact and maintain social distancing, companies can book a drop-off slot and deliver their donations to Lindhurst at an allocated time without coming into contact with anyone.

The equipment will be loaded up and, at the end of each day, delivered to a designated NHS point of contact.

Martin said, “Having worked in engineering and manufacturing for nearly 40 years, I know there will now be cupboards and storerooms in manufacturing, engineering, construction and science-based businesses, full of brand-new PPE.

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

“Although we are currently only running this in Mansfield and Ashfield, 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 across the county or even nationwide.”

Any business wanting to make a donation of equipment can email Lindhurst commercial director Simon Hawkins on [email protected]

Any Mansfield-based organisation prepared to be a drop-off point should a need arise is asked to contact Gary Jordan on [email protected]