PROTECTIVE equipment for health workers in Dorset is being manufactured by a school thanks to donations from the local community.

Members of staff in The Blandford School's design and technology faculty have been watching the COVID-19 situation unfold and are responding to the urgent need for personal protective equipment (PPE) by going into production for the local community.

The staff, led by the school's head of design and technology Dave Luxon, are using their talents to manufacture face shields and masks by utilising the department's state of the art equipment normally being used by students in lessons.

The manufactured face masks will be sent to health workers at Blandford Hospital, as well as district nurses and care homes across Dorset.

Mr Luxon made an appeal on Facebook, asking for materials to be donated so that his team could keep making this life-saving equipment. Lots of people got in touch to donate the required materials and to request PPE.

Sally Wilson, headteacher of The Blandford School, said: "Mr Luxon’s appeal on Facebook for help with materials not only highlighted how generous the population of Blandford are, but also how much need there is in the local area for PPE. Amongst others, donations include polypropylene sheets for face shield bands from Bryanston School and the local company From Dorset With Love have also donated acetate sheets for the face shields.

"Those who responded saying they would like supplies of the items being produced include Blandford Hospital, East Dorset District Nurses (for in-home palliative care), Bovington Health Clinic, nurse prescribers working in Weymouth and Gillingham as well as other local businesses and care homes. In total (so far) there have been over 120 requests for face shields but the school expects this to increase and will continue to manufacture products as long as it has the resource to do so.

"The Blandford School would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has offered time, machinery, resources, financial support and delivery services. It is amazing to see how everyone is pulling together, across the community, to support those caring for us."