Sunderland building firm helps supply GP surgery with protective masks

Edmundson Building and Preservation has had to put its projects on hold due to the crisis, but has turned its efforts to doing a good deed by lending its support to the Marlborough Surgery in Seaham.

Through a friend who works for the practice, which is based inside Seaham Primary Care Centre, bosses Debra and Graeme Edmundson and Kevin Pyle, offered the team 20 boxes of FPP3 masks.

The firm uses the masks on construction sites to protect workers from breathing in dust and when handling hazardous powders or biological agents.

Debra said: “We really wanted to help the staff at the surgery and make sure they were prepared for a rise in the demand for the masks as part of their PPE.

“We use them on building sites, but they are on the frontline and we understand they are going through a lot of facemasks.”

Faith Hall, a member of the company’s team, added: “We wanted to show our appreciation for what the nurses and GPs are doing for us all at this challenging time.”

The donation comes as the company works to support its staff after it made the tough decision to furlough its team due to the impact of the coronavirus shutdown and ensure it is ready to return to finish clients’ work when it is safe to.

Debra added: “All of our sites have closed, most of them are homes or pubs, and it’s not safe for people to be on-site for obvious reasons.

“We usually have 25 lads on different jobs.

“It’s a worrying time.”

The NHS has said stocks of PPE kits are in place, with a well-serviced 24/7 national response helpline if people are running low.

It added: “We have had great support from local businesses who are able to donate or supply PPE and we are co-ordinating distribution across the local area, asking any organisations who are approached by businesses to contact us.”

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