Midhurst businessman supplying PPE to doctors and care home workers with plans to distribute masks to retail staff and schoolchildren

“I feel we all have a part to play in helping each other in this crisis, and I would hate to look back on this difficult time in years to come, knowing that I had contributed nothing.”
Andrew said the aim is to give back to the local community and encourage other businesses to ‘adapt and offer assistance’.Andrew said the aim is to give back to the local community and encourage other businesses to ‘adapt and offer assistance’.
Andrew said the aim is to give back to the local community and encourage other businesses to ‘adapt and offer assistance’.

Those were the inspirational words of a Midhurst businessman who has been distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to critical workers in the community.

Dad-of-two Andrew Ward, from Elmleigh, was inspired by his 77-year-old mum Gill Ward, who has been using her sewing machine to make masks for staff at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.

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

PPE has been supplied to local nursing homes and to Riverbank Medical CentrePPE has been supplied to local nursing homes and to Riverbank Medical Centre
PPE has been supplied to local nursing homes and to Riverbank Medical Centre

“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 ‘adapt and offer assistance’.

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Andrew said he has been donated 200 face shields and he has also received phone calls from locals with support.

Andrew said he has been donated 200 face shields and he has also received phone calls from locals with support.Andrew said he has been donated 200 face shields and he has also received phone calls from locals with support.
Andrew said he has been donated 200 face shields and he has also received phone calls from locals with support.

Due to this, he now has plans to supply face masks to retail staff and children in Midhurst and Petworth, for when shops and schools reopen.

He added: “I know that some really good things are being done out there, and I hope that when this virus is under control, the kindness that people have shown to each other will stay, and people will feel more unified than ever before within their communities.

“At the end of the day, love, kindness and compassion to others is what creates happiness. What else really matters?

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“There is a website up and running which nursing homes will be able to order washable reusable fabric masks from, with fast and free delivery.

Andrew was inspired by his 77-year-old mum Gill, who has been using her sewing machine to make masks for staff at St Richard’s Hospital in ChichesterAndrew was inspired by his 77-year-old mum Gill, who has been using her sewing machine to make masks for staff at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester
Andrew was inspired by his 77-year-old mum Gill, who has been using her sewing machine to make masks for staff at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester

“We should be geared up to supply thousands within days and at no profit to the care home sector, so ultimately very affordable.

“The website is www.designer-minor.com for online orders but I can be contacted on my mobile, 07831 878668, for local deliveries.”

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Residents can call 07831 878668 for local deliveriesResidents can call 07831 878668 for local deliveries
Residents can call 07831 878668 for local deliveries
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