PPE Visors for the NHS

Joanne Patricia Cushing is organizing this fundraiser.

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PPE VISORS FOR THE NHS

Altrincham Open Studios are located in the old library opposite the Interchange. We are a charity that helps people to develop in many different levels in the Arts subjects. Our maker space has have lots of machinery to make things including 3d printers, laser cutters, electric equipment and a large cnc machine. We produce high quality art and at the same time help people to explore and develop passion for Arts. Activities Culminated in the Hidden Altrincham Festival each year.

As a charity and underpinning the whole organisation is promoting good mental health and well-being. We follow the 5 ways to Health and Well-being which advocates taking up an interest as one of the best ways to keep you mentally healthy.

During the Coronavirus Lockdown we have been developing our blog and website with things to do help the mental health of socially isolated people.

CORONAVIRUS

On March 11, the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a global pandemic, reaching more than 118 countries and affecting hundreds of thousands of people.

In response, communities across the globe are coming together by fundraising for coronavirus affected regions, to provide urgent aid and support. Each of us can do our part against the ongoing health emergency caused by the Covid-19 virus.

THE PROBLEM

The problem is Covid 19 is still growing. It wont go away in short term.

Healthcare workers across the UK are putting themselves and patients at significant risk of the Covid 19 infection because of the lack of protective equipment (commonly referred to as PPE).

If this lack of resources continues, hospital wards will become dangerously under-staffed as infected healthcare workers are forced into self-isolation to protect the patients and public.

Lots of hospitals are still reporting shortages of PPE. Many will run out soon.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Unfortunately current hospital supplies
do not have sufficient PPE and while we are reassured the government is doing everything it can, healthcare workers on the frontline are risking themselves daily without adequate protection to care for sick patients. Healthcare workers on the frontline without PPE is the equivalent of going to war without armour and protection.

This week we were contacted by Stuart Peet.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/face-masks-ppe-coronavirus-school-18048674

He is making hundreds and thousands of PPE visors. He had materials and we had another laser cutter. With Stuart’s supplies, our machine can make 320 masks/day, all approved by the NHS.

We have enough raw materials to make 10,000 visors, but unfortunately due to the size and power of out laser cutter this isn’t possible. With the right cutter we can make over 1000 per day.

We have 40 ready volunteers who are putting the bands together, ready to receive the transparent visor in hospital once sterilised by medical staff.

We are delivering PPE to hospitals, care homes, pharmacies, all over the northwest, providing effective, low-cost visors, to help healthcare professionals keep doing their job throughout this crisis.

To really ramp up production, we need your help and your donations.

We have designs that enable us to accelerate production using laser cutters (x10 faster than 3D Printing).

We have the production facilities at Altrincham Open Studios, and the broad network of makers in our community, to really increase the supply of PPE items.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

- To help us buy the materials and equipment we need.
- To help us maintain the machinery we use.
- To package and deliver the items to hospitals and independent healthcare workers.
- To pay expenses for volunteers, whilst they are working day and night on the project

It's not just doctors and nurses - frontline staff include paramedics, porters, cleaning staff, healthcare assistants, catering staff providing meals for patients, physiotherapists, pharmacists, opticians, dentists and an army of NHS volunteers! They all need protection!

All donations are gratefully recieved and go to an extremely important cause – getting essential PPE in to the hands of healthcare workers who are risking their lives to save yours.
Please note - no donation is too small £5 makes 25 masks.

To help me get the word out, can share this link to your Facebook Timeline!

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