Chiltern academy steps up for carers

Led by Dan Pallett, a design and technology teacher at Chiltern Academy, teachers from the academy as well as neighbouring schools have been working together to help provide the visors to health and social care staff. So far, they have donated 10,000 to hospitals and care homes. 

Leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire runs 120 care homes and supported living services around the country. Right now, the charity is spending £400,000 on sourcing PPE for its 4,700 frontline staff who are caring round the clock for 3,000 vulnerable disabled adults.

Recognising the charity’s need for urgent protective equipment, Dan Pallett, said:

“We’re really pleased we’ve been able to help Leonard Cheshire protect their carers and the people they support during this time. Thanks to a great team of volunteers, the right skillsets and the necessary equipment, we’ve been able to use our time to support our communities. We hope to continue to be able to provide the visors further  across the country and are really proud of our efforts so far.” 

The project has been supported by ‘Discover Islam’, a charity local to the school that has been working to raise money to support people during the coronavirus outbreak. Their fundraising efforts meant they were able to help pay for almost all of the materials required for the visors, as well as lunch for Dan’s team every day. 

Talking about Chiltern Academy’s donation, Hugh Fenn, Leonard Cheshire’s executive director of UK services, said:

“Protecting our carers, their families and our residents is our number one priority during this worrying time. Securing PPE remains a challenge for the whole sector and demand is not slowing down.

"We are so grateful to Chiltern Academy for providing these visors to us; it’s these kinds of community efforts that really do make all the difference at times like this.”

Media enquiries

For further information and high res images please contact Erin O’Reilly via erin.o’reilly@leonardcheshire.org    

Notes to editors

Leonard Cheshire runs a number of services around the country including Symonds House in Hitchin.