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Racing driver turns delivery driver in the effort to supply PPE for care workers

14/05/2020

The University of Wolverhampton’s racing team might be on hiatus while live sport is cancelled, but its professional racing driver, Shane Kelly, has swapped the Dallara F308 racing car for a transit van to help deliver PPE to care workers.

Over the last two months, the University has been manufacturing face shields, as well as hand and surface sanitiser for NHS Trusts, care homes and other frontline key workers.

To date more than 500 face shields and 140 litres of sanitiser have been produced by the University’s Schools of Engineering and Pharmacy, thanks to the generous support of University alumni, staff, honorary graduates, friends and relatives. A COVID-19 fundraising appeal has raised over £7,500 from more than 160 people, helping the University to continue manufacturing, protecting frontline workers who are helping the most vulnerable.

Dr Syed Hasan, Head of the School of Engineering at the University, said: “We have enlisted Kelly, who normally would be driving for the University’s student team at racing circuits around the country, to use his skills on the roads of the West Midlands – but always keeping to the speed limit, of course!

“The shortage of PPE has been deeply felt in care homes, and it’s been humbling for everyone involved to take protective equipment out to key workers in the fight against the pandemic.”

Mary Dzimwasha, Manager at The Villa Care Home in Madeley, Telford, said: “We really appreciate the face shields given to us by the University. It’s been so, so important to have supplies like these to protect both the vulnerable adults we work with and the staff that care for them.”

Donations were also gratefully received at the Birkdale Residential Home. “Please accept our greatest thanks for the face shields you delivered to us on Tuesday. All the support you have offered through the supply of PPE has been greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work of helping out the NHS, care homes and all those you are helping, it does not go unnoticed.”

      

The University continues to raise funds to help with the further manufacturing, and if you’re able to make a gift of any size, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/COVIDappeal.

For more information contact the Corporate Communications Team 01902 322736/518647 or out of office hours on 07973 335112 or email: comms@wlv.ac.uk.

ENDS

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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