Corby secondary schools donate science equipment to help NHS staff fighting coronavirus

Two Corby secondary schools have donated equipment from their science labs to help keep the county’s health workers safe during the coronavirus crisis.

Corby Business Academy and Lodge Park Academy have raided their equipment drawers and have donated personal protective equipment to be used by the frontline hospital staff who are treating an ever growing number of patients who are being brought in with coronavirus symptoms.

Across the country there have been reports of a shortage of personal protective equipment and Public Health England has now commissioned an urgent review.

Head teacher at Corby Business Academy Simon Underwood tweeted:

“Pleased @CorbyBusinessAc could contribute towards NHS today. 8 boxes of goggles that will hopefully support the staff in hospitals #NHSheroes

We're in this together!”

Lodge Park Academy has also donated with Assistant Principal Nicola O’Brien taking the equipment down to Kettering General Hospital in Rothwell Road.

The school’s twitter account said (March 30): “Today we have donated some gloves, aprons and goggles from our science department to NHS staff at Kettering General Hospital.”

Schools across the country have been doing their bit to help, with equipment needed less than usual due to the vast majority of their students being taught at home after a Government shutdown earlier this month.

However the Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Equipment has warned schools not to donate all their stock so they are not short when schools return to normal.

They said: "Do not give away all of your PPE as this would mean you are unable to do any practical work when you return to ‘normal’ school life. It would be prudent to get a signed receipt for the items you are donating a) to record what you have donated and b) to help for when you are restocking.”

The Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce has also asked businesses to donate items to the county’s NHS organisations. The wish list includes thermometers, disposable aprons and gloves as well as desks and mobile phones. The Government has also set up a web link for businesses to say how they can help in the coronavirus emergency effort.

The number of confirmed cases in Northamptonshire now stands at 153. The actual figure is expected to be much higher as some people have a mild dose of the virus and do not need to have hospital treatment. Currently testing is also still at a very low level with the majority of those being tested while in hospital.