Volunteers in Wimbledon have joint forces to create PPE equipment for members of the NHS in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
'Helpful Engineering UK' is a new group made of 15 volunteers who have been using 3D printers and laser cutters to create visors for frontline staff across the UK.
In just one week, the skilful volunteers have successfully delivered one thousand visors to hospital workers and plan to deliver many more.
The group say they were inspired by the first applaud for NHS and wanted to help hospital workers more directly by creating protective equipment for the NHS.
Volunteers have been working with a designer in Hong Kong who has been sending them models for visors.
'Helpful Engineering UK' has set up a fundraising page in a bid to fund materials.
Katie Meech, Founder of Helpful Engineering UK, said: “The frontline NHS workers are so grateful for the 1,000 visors we have produced in our first week.
"They say it’s exactly the protection they need, it’s reusable, easy to clean and comfortable.
“The challenge is to keep up with demand, as we already supply doctors and nurses at nine London hospitals, and they are asking for many more.
“The key to protecting hospital workers is to ensure they have the right protective equipment- we urgently need to mobilise more 3D printers and laser cutters.
"We can share files, offer advice, arrange pickups and delivery - and hope to be able to cover the cost of materials through fundraising too.”
“We are so grateful to those who have donated to Helpful Engineering UK’s fundraising so far - we have already raised over £3,000, but we need to raise more to produce more.
The group has raised £3500 out of the targeted £10,000 so far.
To donate, visit at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ujap6d-ppe-for-the-nhs
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