Coronavirus: Schools donate protective lab gear to frontline NHS workers
31 March 2020, 18:52
Schools in the UK are donating protective lab equipment and cleaning supplies to NHS workers fighting coronavirus.
Safety goggles, aprons, gloves, face masks and wipes are among many of the donations made after healthcare workers put out the call.
Prince Henry's Grammar School in Otley, West Yorkshire, is coordinating an effort with a number of schools to donate equipment in response to a request from a parent who works in healthcare.
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Alyson Blakeley, the Faculty Leader, Design and Technology at the school, said she was "very happy to join this national campaign" and had sent the school's freshly-cleaned lab goggles to local GP surgeries and hospitals.
She added that the goggles weren't the same as NHS protective gear, but that staff were "happy to use those instead of nothing at the moment".
"Our NHS staff are working extremely hard under difficult circumstances and we are delighted to be able to support them in any way we can," she said.
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Meanwhile, the Holy Trinity School and Sixth Form Centre in Kidderminster has donated its goggles, aprons, gloves and masks to staff working in the intensive care unit at Worcester Hospital.
It has also handed over several rainbow pictures created by the students.
In a statement, headteacher Pamela Leek-Wright said the school "had to respond" as soon as it was made aware of the need.
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Along with other Durham schools, we're donating goggles and masks to the @CDDFTNHS! Thanks to all the amazing health heroes for everything they do for us!#NHS #NHSheroes #HealthcareHeroes #Education #UTColleges #StayInStaySafe #Durham pic.twitter.com/uL0QRpu9p6
— UTC South Durham (@UTCSouthDurham) March 31, 2020
She added: "It seems such a small gesture, but anything that will help support the incredible service that our NHS are providing, we are happy to do.
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"I know that we will not be the only school to have done this and it makes me proud to be a part of the teaching profession."
Schools across the UK are currently closed to all but children of key workers to help support them during the Covid-19 pandemic.
