When the call went out locally for PPE to cover the needs not only of NHS workers but, perhaps more pressingly, key workers in the care sector, pharmacies and residential homes for the elderly, the DT department at Poole Grammar School, under the leadership of Andy Dallimore, rose to the challenge.

Aided by designs created by a school in Norwich and refined by others including staff at PGS, especially Nick Brady and Dave Jackaman, the school started production of face visors.

Head of History, Mr Powell said, “All of this may have run into the ground had it not been for the tireless and resourceful fund-raising of Mark Hannington who raised £5,000 in a matter of a week, allowing production to go into full-scale action. Steve Cook from AFCB donated £1,000; Freemasons of Dorset gave £500; Kevin and Emma Davies and Swarvy Ltd t/a Urban and Swarvy both gave £250, and a number of others gave £100, including Helen Wallace-Smith, Jane Mynors-Wallis, Claire Collins, Stuart Wilson, Peter Williams and Natasha Lyons of ZuZu Jewellery.”

With assistance from parents and staff manufacturers plus delivery work and admin support, this meant that the school was soon making well-over 100 masks a day rising to 250 by the end of the second week of production.

The school would like to thank Store and Secure, Big Yellow Storage, Steve Birchmore of Top Coat Print, Precision Units (Poole), and Ian Elkington, for all of their support with boxes and materials respectively.

Mark Hannington, careers advisor, who as well as fund-raising, has been in charge of logistics said, “It has been particularly pleasing to see how the wider community has come to rally to the school as the school was working for that community. Collaboration is often encouraged but never more obviously seen. And this cooperation extends to some amazing collaborations with local schools; Lytchett Minster School, Swanage School, St Aldhelms, St Edward’s, Twynham, Bournemouth Grammar School for Girls and Corfe Hills. There has also been group activity with ‘3Dcrowd’, a large 3D printing network across the South West, Mr Muchin and the Bournemouth and Poole College Engineering department. Truly everyone pulling in the same direction.

“As well as face visors, we have also been busy producing handcream for NHS frontline staff, with help from local bees (some belonging to staff) to supply beeswax. Again, the orders are flooding in and a big thank you to Thorne Beekeeping who provided wax, The Soapery for other ingredients, Tinware Direct for the containers, and Avery for the labels.

“All of these people are making a contribution that is very much appreciated by the recipients, even moving some (in desperate need) to tears. Reward enough for all of those involved.”

If you know of any NHS frontline workers who could benefit from our face visors or handcream,please contact Mark Hannington at careers@poolegrammar.com

The school motto is Finus Opus Coronat – the end crowns the work – but maybe a mistranslation of the Latin might be more appropriate – the work of all might end coronavirus!

This article first appeared on 29 April 2020 in the 4Dorset May magazine