Lets get PPE to frontline NHS Key workers!

Why is there a shortage of PPE?

The global COVID-19 pandemic has created a shortage across the UK of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for key workers in hospitals, surgeries and frontline healthcare providers in communities and local doctors surgeries. 

The NHS are trying to provide PPE, but there are delays and costs associated with this.  We can help plug the shortfall for local hospitals and front line workers/ care givers. 

What are Face Shields for?

Face shields/Visors are PPE devices that are used by many workers (e.g., medical, care workers) for protection of the facial area and associated mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) from splashes, sprays, and spatter of body fluids, which is essential in protection against COVID-19. It also stops the user from touching their face which again is a must in protecting the user. 

PPE is so important for front line workers to wear as not only does it stop them catching the virus by acting as a barrier but it can also stop the user from spreading the virus to others. If all the teams in hospitals and at care homes get ill, then there will be additional problems where there will be no one available to give care in hospitals/at care homes/at surgeries. 

Why use hand sanitiser when soap and water is better?

It's widely known that soap and water is the most effective way at cleaning hands in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 but key workers don't always have access to these facilities. There are so many scenarios where someone needs to clean their hands but it's not practical to get to a water basin, such as: a first responder, air ambulance technician, customer service clerk in a hospital reception, to name a few. In these cases alcohol sanitiser has proven to be very effective, with benefits as follows:

• No need for water.
• Kills 99.9% of all germs and bacteria.
• Remains effective when dry for up to 6 hours.
• Effective against MRSA, E Coli, Norovirus and COVID-19 within 30 Seconds.
• No added perfumes, dyes or additives that could cause allergic reactions.

Who are we?

Luminous Show Technology is a product design and manufacturing company based in Exeter, UK who have engineered some of the most innovative specials effects systems for theatre, stage and screen. We were founded over 2 years ago by Edwin Samkin and Mike Badley who each have in excess of 20 years working in the entertainment industry. In our short time we've been lucky enough to pick up some amazing contracts producing hardware for global productions such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Paul McCartneys world tour and the Westlife Stadium tour. 

Our industry has ground to a halt in the current climate which has given us the opportunity to focus on this project; to get affordable PPE into the hands of people who need it most. 

It's quite a transition from making flame throwers to protective equipment but we have the facilities and experience of getting a working product into the hands of a customer in the shortest time possible. We also understand the priority of PPE and a proper health and Safety mindset due to the hazardous materials we handle daily. 

 On a personal level we are incredibly proud of the opportunity to turn our expertise, once used for entertainment purposes, to providing vital products for the protection of key workers who risk their lives daily for the greater good. 

Why are we crowdfunding?

Our goal for this crowd funder is to get urgently needed PPE to the local hospitals, and council care homes that are all calling out for donations until bigger NHS supplies arrive. 

We are already in discussions with NHS procurement teams in Devon, East Sussex, Dartford, and even the Nightingale hospital, to supply substantial numbers of these products at an affordable price. However, this will take time before these get distributed.  

We are working with the national initiative Med Supply Drive UK who are coordinating PPE donations and distributing to healthcare facilities such as a hospital, GP surgery, community clinic or hospice. So, if you want to donate PPE to those who need it most, we can turn your money into actual products ready for use with immediate effect. 

All donations to this crowd funder will be quickly turned into physical PPE and distributed out nationally via Med Supply Drive UK. We will make sure no money is wasted on handling and shipping so that every penny goes towards this goal. 

Do we have professional approvals for our PPE?

the NHS Infection Control department at the Royal Devon and Exeter has approved our design. Commenting they like the fact the head band is re-useable and easy to clean. Its comfortable to wear as very lightweight and flexible. Tangerine Bee Analysts, an independent Medical consultantcy firm are also working closely with us  

The materials: 

• Polypropylene(PP) for the adjustable head band.
• Either PP/PETG/PVC for the clear visor.

The manufacturing process:

• The head band is made on a laser cutter at a rate of 75 units per hour, per machine.
• The visors are hole punched and curved corners mechanically stamped at a rate of 3000 per hour, per person. 

Our design has NO logo on it and no fancy detailing. Simple, Practical, and affordable. 

Our Hand sanitiser is manufacturer to World Health Organisation recommendations. 

Why we are looking for your help? 

We are a small business and have already made several thousand Face Shields and hundreds of bottles of Sanitiser. We have already donated products Free of Charge to Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust and Suffolk County Council Home First Adult and Community services. 

However materials are now in high demand, expensive and as our usual business operations have completely ceased we have no more cash reserves to contribute. We are happy to produce these products at cost for this initiative, but we want your help to keep us making these. 

We put out a plea on social media in early April which led to a lot of interest about these products, with people asking if they could donate towards materials so we decided to run this crowdfunder page. All donations will be used to make this essential PPE, and we will make sure they get distributed fast. 

Final Comments

We want to thank our friends, suppliers and customers who have supported us in this mission by sharing our story. We obviously want to say thank you to all the heroes at the NHS who are risking their lives while working with the NHS. 

This is a small way we can help and we hope it helps those who we know are making a massive difference where it counts most.