The League of Friends of Wellington Hospital (LoF) has donated a 3D printer to Court Fields School.
The LoF bought the printer at the height of the coronavirus pandemic for local businessman Kyle Millett to produce face shields for local health workers.
Kyle was among many people with 3D printers who stepped in to make this essential personal protective item when it was in such short supply. Hearing about his efforts to help local font line workers, the League agreed to donate £1,000 for materials and to buy an extra 3D printer at a cost of £350 so he could increase production.
Diane Grabham for the LoF said, “Kyle worked tirelessly to produce and deliver more than 10,000 shields to local front line workers.”
Annette Cardwell, Chair of the LoF added, “With our hospital being closed early in the crisis and staff deployed to other hospitals, the League was pleased to hear of a way it could still help in supporting NHS and care workers. When we heard of Kyle’s appeal we didn’t hesitate in offering our support. He has done a fantastic job. It was agreed the printer would be the property of the League and when it was no longer required we would donate it to the community. League Officers were unanimous in deciding Court Fields School should benefit from this and we are very pleased to be handing it over to them.”
Court Fields School Head of Design Technology, Ian Keitch said: “The school has been developing the technology curriculum to take into account new production techniques and this will be a great help for students to appreciate the possibilities that 3D printing can offer. I am sure the students will enjoy using the equipment as their subject knowledge evolves and we look forward to sharing some of their creations with the League over the coming year.”
Acting Headteacher Polly Matthews said: “Our thanks go to the League of Friends for their extremely kind donation which has already supported our community’s front line workers and health care staff via the creation of PPE and will now support a new generation of students at Court Fields School.”
During the crisis the League also bought a fridge to enable vaccines to be transported from local GP surgeries to the hospital for child immunisation and provided fruit and veg boxes to the GP surgeries.
The League has had to cancel its annual Summer Féte which is its main fund-raising event and also the cream tea afternoon which had been planned for mid July. Developments over the next few months will decide whether the Christmas coffee morning goes ahead.