A campaign encouraging businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to donate spare personal protective equipment (PPE) to support health and care workers dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic has made an impressive start. 

The PPE4NHS campaign, spearheaded by Sutton-in-Ashfield firm Lindhurst Engineering, has received thousands of items from businesses across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Managing Director of Lindhurst Engineering Martin Rigley MBE said: “Through the magnificent good nature and generosity of businesses across the region, we’ve now handed out around 15,000 items of PPE, to be used by NHS staff and key workers in Nottinghamshire.”

“We’re delighted with the response of the local business community and know there’s more to come so please keep the donations coming.” 

PPE4NHS

Originally set up to cover the Mansfield and Ashfield area, the scheme is now being rolled out region-wide with the support of D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire, with donations coming from a variety of industries.

D2N2 Head of Business and Innovation Frank Horsley commented: “It is inspiring to witness the tremendous and selfless efforts of our local businesses not only through this campaign but also in supporting the national effort to defeat Covid-19.”

“The PPE4NHS campaign is gaining real momentum and connected into the local resilience planning across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, not only ensuring donations reach the NHS but also support key frontline staff in social care and community support.”

Brian Christian Hair Design in Derbyshire is just one of the local businesses answering the call, donating 1600 pairs of protective gloves usually used when applying products to the hair of customers’ at the Heanor-based salon.

“I was upset at seeing hard-working NHS staff without the correct equipment to do their jobs in this pandemic,” said owner Brian Jenkins. “We’re all in this together and it’s only right that I help out where I can.” 

Another donation came from Tony Holmes, manager of the Foxglove pub in Mansfield, who donated 3,000 disposable aprons: "Because of the restrictions we're shut currently, so the NHS needs our PPE far more than we do at the moment so we want to do our bit for such a worthy cause and would urge other businesses to do the same".    

Donations from all over the region are transported to a local hub for processing before being redistributed to areas in need of PPE.

Simon Emsley, the general manager of Peak Packaging in Ilkeston is operating one of those hubs: “We were contacted by PPE4NHS and asked if we were able to help, due to the nature of our business our PPE is not suitable however we were happy to become the local collection hub.”

PPE Donations

Businesses interested in donating should visit PPE4NHS page.

Amongst the items in demand are:

• 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

To make the donation process as quick as possible, emails 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.