Nottinghamshire fire and rescue service opens stations for PPE donations

Working with the #ppe4nhs campaign, stations across Nottinghamshire opened on Monday, May 4, so businesses could drop off donations of personal protection equipment.

The initiative is spearheaded by Martin Rigley MBE and started in Ashfield and now also operating in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire

It was set up five weeks ago, to encourage the donation of spare stocks of PPE to NHS and keyworkers. It includes disposable aprons, fluid resistant face masks, nitrile gloves, medical gowns / coveralls and hand sanitiser.

Some 58,000 items of PPE have already been donated in Nottinghamshire. Drop off centres include Mansfield, Hucknall, Ashfield, as well as Newark, Highfields, London Road, Arnold, West Bridgford, Edwinstowe, Stockhill, , Worksop, Retford, Bingham, Tuxford, Stapleford, East Leake and Harworth stations.

Group Manager for Prevention Andy Macey said: “The service is already working hard to give back and support the local community including the NHS and keyworkers.

“We encourage businesses from across Nottingham to get in touch with #ppe4nhs to donate. We have already had our first donation of 140 aprons dropped off at West Bridgford Fire Station on behalf of Alantra Corporate Finance and we hope that these donations will continue to support our NHS and keyworkers.”

Following the social distancing guidelines set out by the Government, the service have worked with #ppe4nhs to open stations across the whole of Nottinghamshire so businesses do not have to travel unnecessarily far to deliver stocks.

Malcolm Healey, Co-ordinator for #ppe4nhs said: “This is about local businesses supporting our local front-line workers. We’re pleased with the progress that we’ve made so far, however, we still need many more donations.

“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and can’t thank them enough for their terrific support in opening up local fire stations as drop off centres. This will make it much easier for people to donate.”

To donate items, first contact #ppe4nhs via the email address [email protected]. A strict process is in place at each drop off centre, which maximises social distancing in line with government guidelines.