Wickford-based construction company, Lemon Groundwork Solutions, has donated 100 boxes, containing 1,000 FFP3 protective masks to Basildon Hospital
The firm is calling for all UK-based firms in the trade to follow its example. Chris Challacombe, head of operations at Lemon Groundwork Solutions personally delivered the protective masks to the staff at Basildon Hospital and said afterwards that he was told that personal protective equipment (PPE) is like “gold dust”.
Challacombe and his colleagues are urging construction companies the length and breadth of Britain to donate any PPE they can spare.
“It’s time for everyone to join us and do their bit to help our NHS save lives.”
Lemon Groundwork Solutions’ managing director, Paul Hart, said: “We made contact with Basildon Hospital last week after seeing Essex County Council’s urgent appeal for PPE. We sent an email to PPESupplies@essex.gov.uk, notifying what stock we could spare and we were quickly put in touch with the hospital.
“The team at Basildon were over the moon with our donation and thanked us repeatedly during the handover, stating that the masks are like gold dust. They immediately ripped open the top case and were carrying handfuls of boxes into the clinical areas before Chris had even driven out of the car park.
“FFP3 masks protect the wearer from solid and liquid aerosols, so they’re crucial in the fight against COVID-19, and I urge all construction companies across the UK to donate their PPE, especially businesses who conduct welding because they will use the top P3 masks.
“Lemon Groundwork Solutions, like the rest of the construction industry, is still open for business, but we are, of course, on significantly reduced trading and thus we can afford to donate a large quantity of our spare personal protective equipment.”
