Tuxford Academy is among the schools who have come forward to create protective face masks, wash bags, sterile gloves and safety glasses to donate to local hospitals in support of NHS staff during the coronavirus crisis.

North Notts BID said businesses and schools and colleges have joined forces to support vulnerable residents and protect key workers on the front line.

From PPE manufacturing to food package delivery, North Notts BID members have been pulling together to provide assistance to those most affected by the pandemic.

Schools and colleges – such as Retford Oaks Academy, Tuxford Academy, The Elizabethan Academy and Worksop College – have come forward to create protective face masks, wash bags, sterile gloves and safety glasses to donate to local hospitals in support of brave NHS staff.

Businesses such as Effective Consumable Solutions (ECS), Mudford Marquees and line marking experts Riggotts have also contributed sterile gloves and ventilator face masks to medical staff, while Trans-Sport.tv has been busy making perspex screens that can be fitted in the workplace to protect staff members.

Sally Gillborn, chief executive at North Notts BID, said: “It’s amazing to see BID members go above and beyond to do their bit to help during these unprecedented times. We’re really proud to stand behind such a conscientious and charitable group of businesses that are doing everything they can to send support to medical services.”

BID businesses are not only supporting the NHS locally, but they have also contributed to the creation and maintenance of the Nightingale hospital that was recently completed in London.

Medical manufacturer Medicare Systems supplied all of the nurse call systems at the ExCel centre, while Riggotts marked the helipad that now guides casualties to safety.

Sally continued: “Not only are we are incredibly grateful for the support that has been provided to local causes, but it’s also great to see North Nottinghamshire businesses contributing to the national effort of fighting this virus by participating in the completion of London’s Nightingale hospital.”

Christine Horrocks, head teacher at The Elizabethan Academy, said: “We are currently producing almost 400 face visors per week in addition to wash bags for NHS, care home staff, GP surgeries and hospices. The BID board has been instrumental in signposting these NHS organisations to us and they have all been so grateful for the equipment they have received.

“We are keen to support our wonderful frontline staff in any way we can, and this will have a huge impact. This virus, although devastating, has brought out the very best in people. I feel incredibly privileged to have been a small part of this and I am so proud and humbled by the response of my staff, students and their families, and the support from local businesses like EDF Energy, which has given us a new laser cutter to help increase the production of donations.”

Not only have medical supplies been provided, but food and toiletries have also been donated and delivered by organisations across North Nottinghamshire to those in need.

Retford Leisure Centre has been donating food to local food banks to provide vulnerable families with essential items to see them through this difficult period.

Bassetlaw Community Volunteer Service (BCVS) and Community First Responders have also been working tirelessly to support communities by delivering donated goods across Retford and Worksop to those most affected by the lockdown.

To find out more about North Notts BID, visit northnottsbid.co.uk

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