Budmouth Academy teachers show their support to the NHS and care home workers by making or donating Personal Protective Equipment

Teaching staff at Budmouth Academy have come together to show their support to NHS and care workers by producing masks, sewing headbands or scrubs and donating surplus googles to a hospital, doctor’s surgery and care home.

Staff made the decision to step forward and assist after being alerted to pleas for help from frontline medical staff dealing with the country’s coronavirus crisis.

Zoe Gardner, senior science technician at the school has donated 30 pairs of goggles, 200 aprons and 200 pairs of nitrile gloves to Dorset County Hospital. A director from care home Agincare also got in touch and Mrs Gardner, 45, sent staff 20 pairs of goggles, 100 disposable aprons and a box of 100 pairs of nitrile gloves.

Mrs Gardner (pictured below) said the request for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the hospital and care home came at a fortuitous time as she had placed an order for the items shortly before the Government’s lockdown announcement.

She told the Dorset Echo: ‘’This is normally the time of year when we do a lot of dissections and it requires gloves and disposable gloves. I made sure we have enough for any A Level classes we might hold if schools are re-opened before the summer term but everything else that was packed we sent to the hospital and Agincare.

‘’It’s important that we show our support for the local hospital and care home. It makes me feel proud to be able to help.’’

Tony Walker (pictured above), subject co-ordinator for technology at the school, said he received an email from another teacher asking to help and did not hesitate to use the school’s laser cutter to produce 30 protective masks that were delivered to Wyke surgery in Weymouth.

Liz Fabbri (pictured below), a fashion and textile teacher who is also deputy subject co-ordinator of technology at the school, revealed she was motivated to help after noticing Facebook groups had been set up asking for volunteers to help make scrubs or headbands for NHS staff.

A batch of 30 headbands have already been delivered to Dorset County Hospital to provide comfort from the plastic face masks being used.

She said: ‘’I have the time, the sewing skills needed and I thought why shouldn’t I help. I’m glad I can do what I can to support our NHS workers at this time.’’

David Herbert, Principal at Budmouth Academy, said: ‘’I am delighted that some of our staff have been able to use their skills and the school resources in order to provide vital supplies for local frontline workers doing an amazing job during this crisis. 

‘’It has been lovely to hear back from staff at Dorset County Hospital as well as other local surgeries and care homes to know that the facemasks, headbands and scrubs are all being well received.’’