Man makes scores of face masks to keep Peterborough carers safe

James Anderson, a cartographer, has produced over 1,430 face shields for NHS and care providers in Northamptonshire and Peterborough.

James was inspired after regarding an article that said that the NHS was running out of PPE. “I found a file online of a 3D printable face shield and got in touch with Peterborough City Hospital and asked if they needed any PPE, and then gave her three prototypes for the hospital to choose from.

James said: “As soon as they picked a model I began printing and setup an online funding page to help raise money for materials and additional printers. The page was fully funded in three hours, and ended up reaching over four times what I set out to achieve.

“The funding has gone towards additional printers and supplies, and to date I have donated 1,432 face shields to the NHS.”

James has received fantastic support for his campaign from local businesses including a supplier of transparent binding covers which has donated 3,000 PVC sheets for the shields. Oundle School has loaned James a printer, a drum sander, and an electric guillotine. Several Oundle residents have also loaned working tables, and around twenty people in the local area helped to cut/tie elastic for the straps.

James is continuing to produce face shields with which so far have gone to Peterborough City Hospital, Oundle Surgery, Corby Urgent Care, Burton Latimer Surgery, Highgate Hospital in London, NHS District Nurses, several care homes in the area, and local pharmacies.

James added: “I will continue printing as long as home-printed PPE is needed. Once commercial supply chains catch up and home-printed PPE is no longer necessary I will return all equipment loaned to me and donate the printers I bought to local schools, along with any extra supplies I have.”

Leader of East Northamptonshire Council, Steven North, said: “The community across the district is coming together to support the response to Covid-19 but James is going above and beyond to produce vital resources for our NHS and carers. The work James is doing is truly commendable and on behalf of all residents I would like to thank him for this truly outstanding act of kindness.”

For more information about James’ campaign and to donate visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/3dprinted-face-shields-for-the-nhs