D2N2 in PPE appeal

Bondholder D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership, is putting its support behind the PPE4NHS campaign and asking businesses across the region to donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the fight against Coronavirus.

In addition to widely reported 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.

D2N2 Chief Executive Sajeeda Rose said: “We fully understand the efforts government are 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.

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 www.d2n2lep.org/PPE4NHS or email PPE4NHS@hotmail.com.

Sajeeda Rose added: “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.

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; and

• Overshoes.

The campaign for PPE donations is the brainchild of Martin Rigley MBE – a D2N2 Enterprise Adviser. 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.”

To make the donation process as quick as possible, emails to PPE4NHS@hotmail.com. 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.