Bloxham School launches online fundraiser to continue making PPE for the NHS

Staff members and volunteers from Bloxham School spent much of the Easter holidays making PPE for key workers to use around the Banbury area.

Mark Skevington and Nic Hollinworth. who are the design and technology team from Bloxham School, made 65 face shields for key workers in the area.

Mark Skevington, head of design and technology, worked with his colleague, Nic Hollinworth, to make 65 face shields for key workers in the area.

Sarah Demirtges, the development director at Bloxham School, said: "There are many schools and communities doing what they can to help our brilliant NHS and health workers at this time and Bloxham School is incredibly fortunate in having the equipment and technology - in the form of a 3D printer and the materials – to be able to help."

However, since the new school term started today (Monday April 20) Mr Skevington and Mr Hollinworth returned to teaching full-time.

A former parent, Bloxham resident and engineer, Sophie Breslin, has kindly offered to continue with the production using the school’s equipment.

In order to continue to make the PPE for the NHS officials at Bloxham School have launched a Just Giving web page to help pay for the supplies needed for the PPE.

They have already more than doubled their fundraising target of £1,000.

The shields are already benefiting NHS health workers in Oxfordshire and local care homes, however the NHS are still in desperate need and more are needed.

Anyone who would like to make a contribution the PPE fundraising campaign can do so through the following web link: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bloxhamhelpingnhsPeople can also donate materials straight to the school, which include PETG filament (to create the headband), clear plastic sheet (0.4-0.5mm thick) to create the visor and 15mm wide buttonhole elastic.

Anyone interested in donating materials can contact the school through the following email: [email protected]

Dr Stephen Haynes, lead GP at Banbury Cross Health Centre and Bloxham School doctor, said on the Just Giving page: "The support of the local community in producing face shields for our NHS workers has been tremendous and we are very grateful for Bloxham School’s help, however there is still a desperate shortage.

"There is a high demand for personal protective equipment for our frontline staff."

Bloxham School is not the only Banbury area school to make PPE for the NHS workers in the area.

Members from the design and technology team from The Warriner School, also located in Bloxham, has been making PPE too.

DT teacher, Angie Blythe, who has been making the PPE with DT technician Michael Hughes, said: "PPE is going well. We already have 160 visors allocated to three different care homes in Banbury and Oxfordshire area.

"We have also found some spare goggles and gloves in DT to donate where needed. It’s a really positive feeling to be doing something that will help others."

Winchester House School in Brackley has also been making face shields for several weeks, and as of last week had made around 640 of them.

Staff and volunteers from Winchester House School have the PPE they've made to the following areas to be used the Green Pastures Christian Care Home in Banbury, the Brodie Centre at the Horton, the John Radcliffe Hospital, Cropredy Surgery, Wardington House Care Home, Juniper House and Brackley Fields Care Homes in Brackley, the temporary mortuary at Heyford, The Brook Health Centre in Towcester, Silson Surgery in Silverstone, Katharine House Hospice, Deddington Pharmacy, Caroline Cares for You in a Brackley, Bridge House Medical Centre in Stratford, Helen and Douglas House, Washington House and Springfield Surgeries in Brackley and 24/7 supported accommodation in Oxford for homeless vulnerable adults.

*A message from the Banbury Guardian Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.