LEISURE centres have united to donate thousands of protective equipment to social carers working during the coronavirus pandemic.

Fusion Lifestyle owns multiple leisure centres across the Braintree Council district and now the company and its staff are working to supply PPE to Essex County Council.

The council are currently working to support those working in adult and children social care and have appealed to businesses and residents across the district for support.

It is hoped the donations will go a long way to supporting and protecting the carers and those in care.

Carl Bentley, regional manager for Fusion, said: “We are very much part of the local community so we are pleased that our PPE will now be used by those on the front line who are doing an amazing job caring for the most vulnerable people.”

Four leisure centres across the district are taking part to supply thousands of items of PPE.

The four include Halstead Leisure Centre, Witham Leisure Centre, Braintree Sport Health Club and Braintree Swimming & Fitness.

Staff across the four centres have now donated more than 2,000 pairs of overshoes, more than 1,000 pairs of disposable gloves, 250 masks and two full face shields.

Fusion Lifestyle was forced to close the centres back on March 20 after the Prime Minister announced the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cllr Peter Tattersley, Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing at Braintree District Council, said: “I would like to thank Fusion and our leisure centre staff for donating this much needed equipment to carers in the county, helping to keep them safe while they put themselves in harm’s way during this unprecedented time.

"I know so many businesses in the community have answered Essex County Council’s call for more PPE and that they have been overwhelmed by the response.”

Cllr John Spence, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care at Essex County Council, added: “The response from Fusion & Braintree District Council is very welcome, and we would like to thank them – and other donating businesses in the district - for working in partnership with us to support PPE requirements for those local front line services."