SCHOOL staff across East Renfrewshire combined their creative talents to make more than 400 protective face shields for frontline workers dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.

Design and technology teachers from Barrhead High, St Luke’s High, Mearns Castle High and Eastwood High created the vital equipment with the help of a laser cutter.

Kevin Ormond, one of the teachers at St Luke’s High who helped out, said staff have been delighted to be able to support health and care staff at this difficult time.

He told the Barrhead News: “A number of schools were contacted and initially asked if we could use our 3D laser cutters to make some of the face masks to support the medical centre in Eastwood but, since then, a lot of them are being distributed to care homes in East Renfrewshire too.

“In the past week, I’d say we’ve made over 400 and, today, I’ve churned out about 120 of them.

“Once you get a production line going, it can be done pretty quickly.

“I’m glad that we could help our key workers at this time.”

Tina Oman, a design and technology teacher at Barrhead High, added: “School staff were approached by the council as there had been some national issues with ensuring frontline health staff had the correct protective equipment to wear whilst carrying out their duties.

“Thanks to the financial support of our Parent Council, we had been able to purchase a laser cutter for the school some months ago. That meant we now have the capability to design and create these types of items, so I was only too happy to help out.”

Concerns have been raised over the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) available to those such as care home workers as the Covid-19 outbreak continues to spread.

Ms Oman said: “These are certainly challenging times for all but if I can help out, along with lots of other colleagues at schools across the area, by making some masks, then I was delighted to do my bit.

“We all have to work together during these difficult times.”

****

Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We're not exaggerating when we say the future of local newspapers and the vital service we have provided for many years is under threat.

Please consider supporting Barrhead News in whatever way you can - by paying just 90p for a copy of the newspaper when you're shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others or by subscribing to our e-edition here.