Businesses across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are being urged to back an appeal to donate much-needed PPE to help with the fight against coronavirus.
D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership has thrown its support behind the PPE4NHS campaign – and is calling on firms in both counties to donate items.
As well as shortages of PPE within the NHS, the care and charity sectors are also finding it difficult to source adequate items of PPE in order to safeguard vulnerable members of society.
The campaign is the brainchild of Martin Rigley MBE, chairman of Discover Ashfield, and a D2N2 enterprise adviser with Portland Training College in Mansfield.
Mr Rigley has also been managing director of Sutton-in-Ashfield based, Lindhurst Engineering for the past 25 years.
He 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 health and care workers desperately need this PPE and, as a business community, we have a duty to get it to them, if possible, without putting people at risk.”
Amongst the items in demand are:
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*Any fluid-resistant surgical masks including although not exclusively FFP2 or FFP3 (the rating is marked on each mask)
*Nitrile gloves
*Visors or goggles
*Disposable aprons or overalls
*Sanitising Gel
*Overshoes
Sajeeda Rose, chief executive of the D2N2 LEP, said: “We fully understand the efforts government is making to ensure PPE is available for all who need it, but we equally recognise the challenge they face in reaching beyond the NHS into other parts of the care system that are vital to shielding our most vulnerable citizens and preventing further strain on the front line by keeping people safe.
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“It may be that there are protective items sitting in storage cupboards that can be put to good use to support our social care workers, care workers and other front-line employees.
“If businesses are able to offer up this stock in our fight against this virus, please get in touch.”
Businesses interested in donating should visit: or e-mail PPE4NHS@hotmail.com.
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To make the donation process as quick as possible, e-mails should include PPE supply details, including quantity and postcode, plus a contact name and phone number.
Businesses will be asked some questions about the type of support that can be provided and will be contacted as soon as possible if the support is needed.
Businesses can also interact with the scheme on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn via the @PPE4NHS accounts.