Midhurst businessman inspired by his elderly mum to supply PPE to local nurses and doctors

Midhurst resident Gill Ward, 77, has spent her spare time making face masks for staff at St Richards Hospital

According to dad-of-two Andrew Ward, his mum, The Fairway resident Gill Ward, 77, has also used her sewing machine to make masks for mums, when they have to send children back to school.

Gill, who was assisted by two friends from Easebourne Church, inspired her son Andrew, from Elmleigh, to help too.

He said: “It's just fantastic what she's doing and it spurs me on.

"I own a trading company and the pandemic has had an affect on our business, changing what we can and can't import and export.

"We decided to start trading PPE but, instead of making profit from the successful deals, I asked for more masks, which I have been donating to a number of local nursing homes and to my local surgery, Riverbank Medical Centre."

Andrew said the aim is to give back to the local community and encourage other businesses to follow suit.

He added: "I'm a single parent at home with two kids so I can't go and do food shopping for the elderly but this is something I can do, working on my phone and computer.

"I can trade in PPE and distribute it to places that really need it which aren't possibly getting it from the government in time. It would be so easy for other companies to do the same.

"Once our donated supplies have all been handed out, we will have thousands of washable masks we will be selling at non profit to the care home while they await their somewhat delayed PPE supplies.

“We would urge any nursing homes short of masks to call us on 07831 878668.”

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