A LEADING European steel manufacturer has donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to NHS and care staff treating Covid-19 patients.
British Steel, which has operations at Lackenby near Redcar, and in Skinningrove near Saltburn-by-the-Sea, provided masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and wipes to help keep front-line workers safe in the battle against coronavirus.
The essential items were sourced with support from the Chinese Jingye Group, which recently acquired British Steel.
The equipment, alongside other items donated by local businesses and individuals in the region, will be distributed to GP practices and other care providers within Tees Valley including NHS Trusts, hospices, care homes, home care providers and to personal care assistants.
Jemma Robson, commissioning support officer, NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “It’s amazing that so many companies and individuals are continuing to help with donations of PPE and support.
“We received 90 face masks from Woodside Aesthetics, Thorpe Thewles, and even my parents neighbour donated his own coveralls following a chat I had with him at the gate – we are just so grateful to everyone who has rallied together to help support us and other local healthcare providers.”
British Steel’s Teesside manager, Matt Stockwell, said: “We’re proud to be able to offer our support to frontline health workers, as they continue to protect our community from this global threat.
“At British Steel we understand the important role PPE plays in keeping us safe as we work, and with the help of Jingye we’ve been able to lend our support at a time when it is most needed.”
Anyone wishing to donate items of PPE equipment can contact: TVCCG.PPE@nhs.net