Companies donate thousands of PPE equipment

Businesses across Bridgend county borough have donated thousands of masks, gloves and overalls after an appeal for unwanted personal protective equipment (PPE) was made by the local authority.

Over the last few days the Ford plant in Bridgend, Nolan Recycling, Dragon Laser, Prodem Fire and Safety and Shelly’s Foods have come forward to donate supplies.
They include masks, nitrile blue gloves and plastic aprons – all in high demand for those on the frontline during the outbreak of coronavirus.

Wallace Yearwood, manager of the Bridgend Ford plant which has temporarily shut down as a result of Covid-19 said: “We see ourselves as part of the wider community so when the opportunity presented itself to support that wider community we obviously wanted to do so.”

The plant has donated 13,500 nitrile gloves, 150 disposable overalls and 100 safety goggles to the local authority.

Prodem Fire and Safety said it wanted to help the people who were working on the frontline.

And James Nolan, director Nolan Recycling, said: “We wanted to help do what we could to support and thank all the frontline staff for the amazing work they are doing, we really appreciate them.”

A worldwide shortage has meant dwindling supplies of PPE for carers looking after people both in their own home and in residential homes.

Last week council leader Huw David appealed for firms which had been forced to stop production due to Covid-19 to get in contact if they had any PPE to boost the supplies it had ordered and received from Welsh Government.

We are really thankful for the generosity of local businesses who have come forward to donate their supplies without which our staff on the frontline would be extremely vulnerable. We have even had an individual donate their own stock they had ordered.

Our staff are caring for people both at home and in residential homes doing all they can to protect our residents from falling ill. Robust arrangements are in place for the distribution of PPE, we are also liaising closely with our partners, our local independent and private care providers to ensure they receive enough stock.

If there are any firms which have stopped production and may be able to help us with the supply of PPE please get in touch to help us battle this deadly virus.

Council leader Huw David

Any firms who are able to donate unwanted masks, nitrile blue gloves and plastic aprons are asked to contact the council by emailing Covid19@bridgend.gov.uk