Lizi hails 'incredible community response' as thousands of face guards are produced
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Lizi Blackwood from Thurso is helping to create thousands of face guards for key workers in the Highlands.
Lizi (28), a development manager at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), is accompanying six volunteers to hand-make the equipment to meet demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the north.
She is using her volunteer days from HIE to support her father, Ken Hooker, after his manufacturing company Proteus Packaging Systems began making face guards for NHS hospitals in England.
The Ashley Ann kitchens showroom in Thurso is being transformed into the command centre for the scheme where volunteers help assemble the face guards.
Around 4000 face guards have already been distributed, with a further 3000 due to be manufactured. Birchwood Highland and Thurso fire station are among those benefiting, as well as some care homes and GP surgeries.
Lizi said: “It’s a bit overwhelming. Something that started off as an idea to make a few boxes of face shields and see how we get on has really grown arms and legs.
"The community response has been incredible, and I feel that has probably been the most rewarding part of all this.
“My eight-year-old daughter Lily is also helping with relief efforts by writing letters to vulnerable residents living alone or in care homes in the community.
“I am fortunate to be able to use my employer’s volunteer days, which is a fantastic way to do some great work for important causes.”
Lizi has also launched an online crowdfunding appeal in support of her family’s PPE initiative, raising more than £500 for the cause.
HIE encourages employees to take up to three volunteer days a year. Volunteering opportunities are currently focused on contributing to the Covid-19 response.
Helen Herd, senior HR manager at the enterprise agency, said: “Many employees across HIE take advantage of the volunteer days each year. Clearly, it’s difficult at the moment, due the lockdown, so it’s fantastic that Lizi is able to use her volunteer days so effectively and we wish the project every success.”
The web page for the fundraising campaign can be found here.
