Parliament praise for 'inspiring' Moray face-visor makers
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THE Scottish Parliament is being asked to recognise the "inspiring" efforts of a Moray group making potentially life-saving face visors for health workers.
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has praised Moray Firth Makerspace in its use of 3D printers to manufacture much-needed protective visors for local health centres.
The registered charity has now supplied PPE visors to more than 21 locations in the region, including medical centres, care facilities, childcare hubs, pharmacies and individuals caring for their loved ones in their own homes.
Mr Halcro Johnston has submitted a Scottish Parliament motion recognising the efforts of the charity, which aims to raise public understanding of STEM.
So far Moray Firth Makerspace has supplied visors to Forres Medical Centre, Elgin Community Surgery, Moray Coast Medical Centre at Lossiemouth, Elgin Medical Centre (Maryhill), GMed, Very Sheltered Facilities, and home care and childcare hubs in the region.
Moray Firth Makerspace has launched a crowdfunder campaign aiming to raise £2000 to fund the making of its 3D face-shields. The total so far stands at £1390.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: "It is inspiring to see so many individuals and organisations respond to the coronavirus crisis with imagination, ingenuity and community spirit.
"Moray Firth Makerspace, who have turned their hands to making hundreds of visors, are to be congratulated on all their efforts. And I am sure those efforts are much appreciated by the local health centres in Forres, Elgin and Lossiemouth which have been receiving them.
"It is so encouraging to see a local charity, supported by local people, making a difference to protect those who are working so hard to protect us all."
Moray Firth Makerspace chairwoman Claire Griffiths, from Elgin, is a computing science and information and communications technology teacher at Kinloss, Aberlour and St Sylvester's primary schools and Lossiemouth High.
Claire said each visor takes between two to four hours and costs less than £1 to make.
This week the group members thanked people for their support and said the donations have enabled them to buy materials – rolls of filament, elastic and acetate sheets – to make more PPE visors.
They have also been able to extend the visor range to include some PPE single-use foam visors, as used at Raigmore Hospital.
To donate to the Moray Firth Makerspace crowdfunder, click here.
