Hebburn school St Joseph's makes over 500 face visors for key workers in South Tyneside and across the North East

Staff at St Joseph’s Catholic Academy in Hebburn have made over 500 face visors - out of materials in the technology department - to be distributed to frontline organisations.

These include key workers at North East Ambulance Service, South Tyneside and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals as well as local food banks and care homes across the region which have all received face visor supplies from the school.

Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust partner schools in Sunderland and East Durham have also been using existing materials in their design technology departments to make the personal protective equipment (PPE).

St. Anthony’s Girls Catholic Academy in Sunderland has provided hundreds for the Sunderland Royal and University Hospital Durham.

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The schools are aiming to make hundreds more visors over the next few weeks to meet the demand for ongoing requests from local health and social care services.

But staff are appealing for donations from the wider community to provide much needed supplies.

Peter Mitchell, headteacher at St Joseph’s Catholic Academy, said: “The idea came from our design technology teacher Helen Cobain who, after seeing similar activity on social media, realised our school could play a fundamental role in helping to protect key workers who are delivering vital services during this crisis. With the local knowledge of colleague Mark Leask, all visors have been sent to the organisations which need them the most.

“We are fast running out of polypropylene and acetate sheets which are needed to make the visors so we’re making a plea to our local community and businesses. If you have access to these materials, or know someone who does, please do let us know.

“I’m really proud of our staff during this time of great need who are not only caring for vulnerable and key worker children but playing a role in protecting the lives of those on the frontline - something we can continue to do with the public’s help.”

If you can help in the provision of polypropylene and acetate sheets contact: [email protected]

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