STAFF and students at three separate East Lancashire schools are coming together to play their part in the fightback against Coronavirus.

Westholme School in Blackburn, Broughton High School and St Cecilia’s RC High in Longridge have all combined resources in order to make a series of incredible donations to the NHS.

In an initiative begun by Westholme design and technology teacher Mr Jonathan Walker, the schools has using a 3-D printer and laser cutter, donated by the Westholme Association, to produce visors and mask clips for the NHS, while also donating safety equipment to local hospitals and GPs surgeries.

Westholme Principal Mrs Lynne Horner said: “It is often in the most difficult times that we see the best in people.

“We have been proud to support our wonderful NHS workers and, though the efforts of our DT teacher Mr Walker and subsequent close collaboration with two local schools, we have been able to increase the amount of PPE to donate.”

Once Westholme had made the initial donations of visor to Burnley General Hospital the response on social media saw the school inundated with more requests for help and saw Broughton High and St Cecilia’s join in the effort.

All together they have produced and donated over 500 visors and mask clips along with hundreds of gloves, safety glasses and scrubbing brushes, to frontline NHS staff.

Mrs Horner said: “I hope that these small acts not only give practical help but also show our support for the NHS across our community – they are doing a great job in a very challenging situation. We are just happy to help where we can.”

Beneficiaries have included the Royal Blackburn Hospital, East Lancashire Hospice, Darwen Health Link, Community Sexual and Reproductive health Clinics, Blackburn Birth Centre, Colne Health Centre, Meadowfield House home for older people and Primary Care Mental Health Services.

Dr Preeti Shukla of the NHS Blackburn and Darwen CCG said: “A huge thanks from all GPs and staff at Richmond Hill practice to Westholme School and Mr Walker for providing us with much needed eye visors for NHS staff.

“Thanks for stepping up to the challenge and helping us look after our patients.”

Dr Qureshi, whose surgery received over 90 pairs of safety goggles, said: “I can’t tell you how grateful we are to receive these. They will be allocated to neighbouring surgeries and clinics that will greatly benefit from this added protection."