A campaign encouraging businesses to donate spare personal protective equipment (PPE) to support health and care workers dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic continues to inspire others to take part.

The PPE4NHS campaign, spearheaded by Sutton firm Lindhurst Engineering, has received thousands of items from businesses across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire – and further afield.

The managing Director of Lindhurst Engineering, Martin Rigley, said: “Through the magnificent good nature and generosity of businesses across the region, we’ve now handed out around 15,000 items of PPE, to be used by NHS staff and key workers in Nottinghamshire.

“We’re delighted with the response of the local business community and know there’s more to come so please keep the donations coming.”

Originally set up to cover the Mansfield and Ashfield area, the scheme – reported by the News Journal earlier this month – is now being rolled out region-wide with the support of D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire, with donations coming from a variety of industries.

D2N2 head of business and innovation, Frank Horsley, commented: “It is inspiring to witness the tremendous and selfless efforts of our local businesses not only through this campaign but also in supporting the national effort to defeat Covid-19.

“The #ppe4nhs campaign is gaining real momentum and connected into the local resilience planning across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, not only ensuring donations reach the NHS but also support key frontline staff in social care and community support.”

One of the latest local businesses answering the call was the Foxglove pub in Forest Town.

Manager Tony Holmes, manager, who donated 3,000 disposable aprons, said: “Because of the restrictions we’re shut currently, so the NHS needs our PPE far more than we do at the moment so we want to do our bit for such a worthy cause and would urge other businesses to do the same.”

Donations from all over the region are transported to a local hub for processing before being redistributed to areas in need of PPE.

Businesses interested in donating should visit D2N2lep.org/PPE4NHS

Amongst the items in demand are:

Any fluid-resistant surgical masks including although not exclusively FFP2 or FFP3 (the rating is marked on each mask)

Nitrile gloves

Visors or goggles

Disposable aprons or overalls

Sanitising Gel

Overshoes

To make the donation process as quick as possible, emails should include PPE supply details including quantity and postcode, plus a contact name and phone number.

Businesses will be asked some questions about the type of support that can be provided and will be contacted as soon as possible if the support is needed.

Businesses can also interact with the scheme on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin via the @PPE4NHS accounts.