AN army of volunteers have taken up the challenge to supply safety gear for NHS workers on the frontline in the war against coronavirus.

Medical teams across the country have struggled to protect themselves during the outbreak because of a lack of personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks.

However, a call to arms has seen masks printed on 3D printers and donations of cotton material turned into home-sewn scrubs to ensure our NHS Angels don’t run out.

Businesses and organisations have also responded to a county-wide appeal by donating any protective gear they have during the current three-week lockdown.

Locally, the project has been overseen by Rochford District councillor Julie Gooding. She said: “In response to Essex County Council’s call for protective equipment from any local businesses, I have been organising a district-wide community call out for equipment for our care workers.

“It would be fair to say the whole country is fully supportive of our NHS Angels, so people have very generously responded to the call for help.

“They have donated scrubs, head shields, and we have even taken to the sewing machines and made scrubs, hats and masks.

“An overwhelming amount of our lovely, kind community have responded to the plea for help.”

Ms Gooding received 20 face shields from Tim Neobard, from Ashingdon, who is committed to giving back to community projects such as East Essex Hackspace , a community workshop space for hobbies and skills sharing.

She said: “Technically brilliant Tim was keen to help with the shortage highlighted by staff and kindly obliged with face shields.”

Mr Neobard, 37, said: “The masks are designed by Prusa Printers. They have issued the design free of charge for anyone to print out.

“It is all self funded. Another of our team, Steve Ford has given material to make another 400 masks.”

Another 40 masks are being made by other organisations, including Fila Printing. The Fusion Lifestyle leisure centre in Hawkwell is set to donate foot covers and gloves and a dental practise has chipped in.

Jon Castell, from Castell Upholstery, is taking donated material and cutting out and overlocking scrubs to be sewn together by people across the community.

Items are put on a boil wash before being pegged out by people wearing gloves. The wrapped items are then left on Ms Gooding’s doorstep in order to abide by social distancing rules.

Ms Gooding said: “People are saying they haven’t used their machines in a long time but they are getting them out. We had about 30 people and another sewing group has just joined so we have 60 people running things up.

“People have come together as a community. We’ve got 60 lots of scrubs gowns. It’s been phenomenal.

“Many companies and individuals have got involved. It has been a whole community effort, and I would like to say a heartfelt thanks to each and every one for making this possible.”

She added: “Our NHS staff are dedicated and caring for us, this is the least we can do to support them.”