The Paras drop in with vital face masks for frontline health workers at Chorley and Preston hospitals

The Paras have never shirked a challenge.
Health workers at Chorley receive the masksHealth workers at Chorley receive the masks
Health workers at Chorley receive the masks

So with the need for vital personal protective equipment (PPE) for our frontline health worker heroes caring for coronavirus crisis patients, they stormed into action.

Now the Central Lancashire Parachute Regimental Association has handed over a batch of masks, sourced and paid for out of its branch funds, to nurses at both Royal Preston and Chorley hospitals.

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Treasurer Bob Thornthwaite, who originates from Preston but has lived in Chorley for more than 30 years, said: “We do a lot of collecting in all the local supermarkets and do very well with it.

Bob Thornthwaite delivers the masks on behalf of the ParasBob Thornthwaite delivers the masks on behalf of the Paras
Bob Thornthwaite delivers the masks on behalf of the Paras

“We dish out money to charity . . . St Cath’s, Derian House, Air Ambulance.

“One of the lads’ sister works as a nurse at Chorley Hospital and we said what about the masks,”

The branch got in touch with someone in Bolton le Sands (see below).

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“He does about 120 a day,” said Bob, who confessed he knew little about the supplier.

Thumbs up from health workersThumbs up from health workers
Thumbs up from health workers

“I only spoke to him for the first time the other day - he seemed a really nice guy,” said Bob, 73, an above-the-knee amputee as a result of a parachuting accident while serving in the Paras.

“We paid him £300 for 120 and he’s going to make us some more. He just wants a donation.

“We said if you get any more we’ll have some more and give them to a different ward.

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“We hope to carry on obtaining masks and supply both local hospitals until our funds run out.”

Delivering the masks to hospitalDelivering the masks to hospital
Delivering the masks to hospital

The branch, which has about a dozen members, has already used £1,000 and has around another £1,000 left in its coffers.

Bob, who has a BSc Hons in police and criminal investigation and worked at the pathology lab at Chorley Hospital, said the nurses who met them when they delivered the masks at

Preston, who received the first batch, were delighted and clapped them for the kind hearted gesture.

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“The biggest problem we have is getting them over here. He (supplier) drove over himself to bring the masks for Preston,” said Bob.

Chorley got the second delivery today.

* When Bolton-le-Sands men Mark Moore and his brother in law Peter Wood, learned of the short fall in PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for front line workers, as a result of coronavirus, they decided to doing something about it.

The two of them started with reconfiguring Mark’s 3D printing from renewable energy products to face visors.

Realising the existing designs were time consuming and often weak, Mark redesigned them and shared his models over the world for free, so other countries could print their own.

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They then began setting up a Facebook Page (COVID19 - UK PPE Requirements & Availability), inviting people with capability to join them with production.

From there they began coordinating the needs in the North West with supply.

In quick-time this became a significant coordination with deliveries for the North-West Ambulance Service, St John’s Hospice, Lancaster Royal Infirmary, Royal Preston Hospital, the Halifax Bank, soon calls were coming in from as far afield as Kendal Warrington, Manchester, Yorkshire and Belfast.

Mark said: "I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support out there, we have had students at home printing models to large companies getting involved to support their workers in printing. The support has been amazing. People want to help and to be able to play a part. The logistics of the whole effort has felt like a full-time job."

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The demand meant Mark and Peter soon realised that the deliveries and collections alone were increasingly difficult without help.

Peter said, ‘The first recruit for help was Ron, (Mark’s father).’ Ronald Moore, 82, is a well-known figure in the area.

"After serving in the Army Ron went on to build a business empire culminating in winning the Queens Award for Industry for his shipping container business, employing hundreds of people and exporting products all over the world. ‘Ron has always been restless, he jumped at the chance to help with the production and deliveries.’

Ron said: "I know most people my age are in lock-down and there is a risk to me being part of this effort but I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. I think when lock down is over I might get a chance to sit down and relax with a nice cup of tea."

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As the production grew they began a GoFundMe Page to help with postage, once more production meant they needed more help and this was met by the services of the Volunteer Riders UK, a volunteer team of couriers.

The scope of Ron, Mark and Peter’s efforts have grown to include sourcing other elements of PPE including gowns and medical equipment from around the world, as well as developing a factory production of the visors and gowns.

Peter says: " The feedback from the frontline has been tremendous, we are overwhelmed at times. There is clearly a need and as you do more you learn more so we have been working to speed up production, and to offer more services."

When this emergency is over Mark and Pete’s business Protectal will start work with a major charity in developing first step intervention accommodation for people suffering homeless issues.

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Go Fund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/postage-fees-for-frontline-workers-face-visors?sharetype=teams&member=4188274&utm_medium=more&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&pc_code=null&rcid=b90af787012e456b90c5a121819ae00b

PPE Production Page: https://www.facebook.com/PPEmakersNW

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