We are busy making face visors for front line workers – a huge demand from
over 40 organisations so far for PPE in the face of coronavirus. Some
details below and we are fundraising to support the initiative.
Two things you can do to help:
1. The easy option. Visit our JustGiving page and donate to fund the
materials and manufacturing costs.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/utcsouthdurham
2. Take on a challenge!! Join us on Easter Monday to climb the Three Peaks
in your own home. This is a bit bonkers (and I’m worried about bumping my
head every time I come downstairs) but it involves getting fit for a good
cause. You can enter individually or in teams and the entry fee comes to
the same good cause.
https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=7090
Many thanks
Tom
UTC South Durham staff and students are working together to create much
needed PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) visors for NHS trusts, district
nursing teams, GP surgeries, care homes and other front line organisations
throughout the North East region. The initiative, known as Visors for
Victory, has already produced 500 visors and production is in full swing.
The UTC team, led by Vice Principal Jamie Smith, are making use of the
engineering facilities on site and creating protective visors using laser
cutters. UTC staff have volunteered to help with production, delivery, and
purchasing materials. Speaking about making the visors, Jamie Smith said:
‘After hearing about the lack of availability of PPE for our health workers
and collaborating on designs with other UTCs across the country, we decided
to support healthcare providers by making visors. The NHS and other front
line workers are helping so many people during this incredibly difficult
time, and we wanted to give something back to try and keep our healthcare
heroes safe.’
‘The crisis has also shown how much we need people with STEM skills,
particularly healthcare workers, engineers and technologists – those the
UTC is designed to support. It’s been a privilege to use my engineering and
design skills to develop these visors, and to make and distribute them with
the committed team at the UTC.’
Over the coming weeks, small teams will be working to produce the visors
whilst following social distancing guidelines. UTC South Durham has also
donated masks, gloves and goggles to the County Durham and Darlington NHS
Foundation Trust. UTC students are also getting involved in the initiative,
with Sixth Form student Connor Lowrie donating 20 visors he had made using
his 3D printer at home.
Based in Newton Aycliffe, UTC South Durham is a STEM focused school for
14-19 year olds, specialising in engineering and advanced manufacturing.
The UTC is one of 20 schools within the UTC (University Technical Colleges)
network which are supporting the NHS by making masks and other protective
equipment using 3D printers.
UTC South Durham
Long Tens Way
Aycliffe Business Park
DL5 6AP
www.utcsouthdurham.org
@UTCSouthDurham
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