Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is working closely with the #ppe4nhs campaign to open 18 fire stations across Nottinghamshire on 4 May 2020 for local businesses to drop off donations of PPE.

#ppe4nhs was set up 5 weeks ago, to encourage local businesses to donate their spare stocks of PPE to the NHS and keyworkers. PPE could include: disposable aprons, fluid resistant face masks, nitrile gloves, medical gowns / coveralls and hand sanitiser.

Spearheaded by Martin Rigley MBE, the campaign started in Ashfield and has now spread across the whole of Nottinghamshire, over the border into Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire.

58,000 items of PPE have already been donated in Nottinghamshire and NFRS are proud to support #ppe4nhs by opening up the following 18 stations as drop off centres for donations: Highfields, London Road, Arnold, West Bridgford, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Stockhill, Ashfield, Newark, Worksop, Retford, Bingham, Tuxford, Hucknall, Stapleford, East Leake and Harworth Fire Station.

Group Manager Andy Macey for Prevention said: "The Service is already working hard to give back and support the local community including the NHS and keyworkers. This is just another small addition to what the Service can do to contribute in these challenging times.

"We encourage businesses from across Nottingham to get in touch with #ppe4nhs to donate. We have already had our first donation of 140 aprons dropped off at West Bridgford Fire Station on behalf of Alantra Corporate Finance and we hope that these donations will continue to support our NHS and keyworkers."

Following the social distancing guidelines set out by the Government, the Service have worked with #ppe4nhs to open stations across the whole of Nottinghamshire so businesses do not have to travel unnecessarily far to deliver stocks.

Malcolm Healey, Co-ordinator for #ppe4nhs said: "This is about local businesses supporting our local front-line workers. We're pleased with the progress that we've made so far, however, we still need many more donations. We're delighted to be working in partnership with Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and can't thank them enough for their terrific support in opening up local fire stations as drop off centres. This will make it much easier for people to donate."

To donate items, businesses must first contact #ppe4nhs via its dedicated email address, to arrange a drop off time at the most local drop off centre. A strict process is in place at each drop off centre, which maximises social distancing in line with government guidelines. This will be made clear when your drop off time is confirmed.

You can contact #ppe4nhs via ppe4nhs@hotmail.com