Online appeal to fund 3D printing of face shields for NHS staff in Inverness more than doubles its original target
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People with access to 3D printers jointly launched a crowdfunder appeal to help create protective wear for Highland health staff.
An original target of £1000 was set to buy the raw materials to produce acetate sheets and headbands for making visors.
Following its rapid success – achieving more than £2000 in a matter of days – the target has now been increased to £10,000.
As well as staff at Raigmore Hospital, the appeal is looking to cater for community health staff right across the region in need of protective equipment.
Karen-Ann Dicken (37), a jewellery designer who lives in the Crown area of Inverness, said she and others were keen to help the NHS in any way they could and were delighted with the response to their efforts so far.
“On my personal Facebook page I think I have had more than 120 likes for the appeal,” she said. “We’ve actually had an amazing response.”
Ms Dicken is also an art and design lecturer at Inverness College UHI which is supporting the group's efforts by donating use of a 3D printer normally used by engineering students.
"The addition of this much larger 3D printer will mean we can print a greater number of visors more quickly, which is fantastic," she said. "It’s important we all do what we can to help.”
Councillor Ken Gowans, who is also an art and design lecturer at the college is designing and printing instruction manuals to help NHS staff assemble the visors and acetate shields when they get them.
Professor Chris O’Neil, principal of Inverness College UHI, said: “It is well reported that there isn’t enough PPE (personal protective equipment) for NHS staff, who are risking their lives every day to save others. I am incredibly proud of our lecturing staff who have stepped up to help this cause, and that we can support this effort in our own way by loaning this piece of vital equipment. As a university partnership, our communities are critical, and we’re determined to do all we can to support them at this time.”
Nationally, there has been criticism at the speed at which personal protective equipment (PPE) is being rolled out to frontline health and social care staff.
To donate to the group visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/covid-19-highlands
