Poulton school teams up with ex-pupil to create PPE masks for Blackpool Victoria Hospital staff and care workers

Ben Johnson, 29, of Hawthorne Grove in Carleton, works at Chorley-based company Ultimaker GB, a 3D printing distribution service.

The company is the supplier to the 'Create Education Project,' which provides creative education resources around the country to 'hubs,' including Baines School on Highcross Road, Poulton.

After anticipating a demand for PPE equipment when the coronavirus social distancing measures were introduced by the Government, Ben decided to get to work creating visors for NHS workers across the Fylde coast, with materials supplied by Ultimaker's sister company, 3DGBIRE.

Ben said: "I knew there would be a massive demand for PPE, and one of Ultimaker's sales partners in Sweden designed these visors, so I knew I could make them.

"Although these masks aren't medical-grade ones, they fill a gap and offer a temporary solution for care companies who don't have enough PPE to keep staff protected.

"I can make six 3D prints an hour, but after cleaning and drying them a full finished product will take around one and a half hours. It's time consuming but necessary, and it's important to keep everyone safe.

"I will make these for anyone who asks us for them, and will carry on until they're no longer needed."

Helping Mr Johnson at home is mum Karen Johnson, who also works at Baines School looking after pupils' career options.

Working with the school, the mum and son duo have managed to provide over 300 visors to care workers at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, GP surgeries, care homes and pharmacies.

Ben and Karen have also received donations from other kind-hearted residents of Hawthorne Grove, who stepped in to help after a discussion in the street's Whatsapp group.

Bill Cropper, a teacher in the creative arts department at Baines School, said: "To be able to help Ben, one of our ex-pupils, and use his knowledge of the industry to make these visors has been amazing.

"We have a 3D printing suite at the school so we're ensuring that our machines are constantly churning out these masks. It's been a great learning experience for the pupils who are still here whose parents are key workers as well.

"We've seen a surprising demand for PPE, so with Ben's help and guidance we are committed to carrying on with the production of these masks to keep our health workers safe."

To date, 100 visors have been delivered to Blackpool Vic, with 50 going to AMU, 30 to ward 37 and 20 to ward 6.

Katie Cleary, 24, is a nurse on ward 6, after being moved from oncology to help with patients.

She said: "All of us are helping where we can, we are incredibly busy. These masks have been a huge help.

"Before we had these visors we were using goggles, which really hurt our ears after wearing them for so long, and if anyone wears glasses it's harder because their glasses would steam up.

"We feel more protected with the masks Baines and Ben have made, and I'd like to thank everyone for making such a massive difference in helping us to feel safe."

Dr Jim Gardner, medical director at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "The Trust has received incredible support from the public over the last few weeks and we can’t thank everyone enough for their help.

"We are extremely grateful to Mr Johnson and everyone at Baines School who has helped provide us with such valuable equipment.''

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to Blackpool Gazette website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/ now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you and stay safe. Gillian Parkinson, editor.