Project using 3D printers to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline NHS Highland staff goes from strength to strength
A group, 3D Print for Covid-19 Highlands, launched an online crowdfunder appeal earlier this month to raise £1000 to cover the cost of materials.
Within seven days they successfully raised £4507 and after initially supplying Raigmore Hospital, have since had interest from other hospitals and care homes across the Highlands.
Karen-Ann Dicken, a jewellery designer and art and design lecturer at Inverness College UHI, is one of those involved in producing the face shields.
“We are just full-on printing kit,” she said. “It’s just a case of producing the stuff and getting it out there.
“It’s been absolutely brilliant. There has been some really good support and we’ve had some really good donations.”
Inverness College UHI has made one of its own 3D printers available to help the group and Ken Gowans, Highland councillor for the Inverness South ward and an art and design lecturer at the college, has been creating manuals explaining how to use the kit supplied.
“There has been a significant rise in the amounts of individuals taking part across the Highlands, with great collaboration and integration of the creative, engineering and medical professions,” he said.
“This demonstrates the very real depth of talent and skills at Inverness College UHI and beyond, being brought together at this critical time to help the real heroes who are at risk on the frontline. It continues to be a humbling experience for all of us.”
To donate visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/covid-19-highlands
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