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Hands across the sea for 3D printing heroes


By David G Scott

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A Caithness man and his team of volunteers have extended their reach across the Pentland Firth to help provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to health workers in Orkney.

Wick High School computing science teacher Chris Aitken has been leading the Caithness team as they create PPE visors and masks with 3D printers.

Chris Aitken with protective visors he made using 3D printing.
Chris Aitken with protective visors he made using 3D printing.

"After completing our Caithness orders at 1100 visors, the team wanted to reach out to Orkney to offer our help," Chris explained.

When he spoke to specialists at NHS Orkney he was asked to fulfil a request for 500 visors.

"I then put out a message on Facebook for people on Orkney with 3D printers to get together to continue the work we've started.

"Thankfully they have now assembled a team and are continuing to supply organisations across Orkney. We have offered to continue to help them if required."

Chris and his Caithness 3D printing team have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to help meet the demand for protective gear needed by health workers to guard them from coronavirus.

One of the team, Saulius Kazakauskas, received special gifts from Wick and District Darts League (WDDL), of which he is a member, for his selfless work.

Davy Crowden (left) hands over gifts to Saulius Kazakauskas on behalf of Wick and District Darts League.
Davy Crowden (left) hands over gifts to Saulius Kazakauskas on behalf of Wick and District Darts League.

Chris said the presentation was well deserved as "the guy was working night and day" to create the PPE.

Saulius arrived in Wick four years ago from Lithuania and has a passion for darts, playing as part of the Norseman 3 team.

On the WDDL Facebook page a message read: "Saulius, who does 3D printing at his home, has been working around the clock making masks and face shields due to a massive shortage and most are being used locally but Golspie and Bonar Bridge have also received PPE, among others.

"Saulius is not alone as there are others doing the same thing and they all deserve credit.

"The office-bearers unanimously agreed a small gesture of our gratitude from each and every one of us in Wick, Thurso and surrounding areas for what he is doing."

Accompanying the message was a photograph with local man Davy Crowden handing over the gifts, on behalf of the WDDL, for Saulius, his partner Ange and their children.

The gifts included a bottle of malt whisky, a case of beer, a £70 Tesco shopping voucher and a couple of board games.

The message finished by telling Saulius to "continue the good work".

Saulius replied saying that he greatly appreciated all the support he had received from the darts league and the whole community.


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