Making protective equipment for frontline workers is a family affair for Lancaster businessmen

The two of them started with reconfiguring Mark’s 3D printing from renewable energy products to face visors.

Realising the existing designs were time consuming and often weak, Mark redesigned them and shared his models over the world for free, so other countries could print their own.

They then began setting up a Facebook page (COVID19 - UK PPE Requirements & Availability), inviting people with capability to join them with production.

From there they began coordinating the needs in the north west with supply. This quickly became a significant coordination with deliveries for the North West Ambulance Service, St John’s Hospice, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Royal Preston Hospital and Halifax.

And soon calls were coming in from as far afield as Kendal, Warrington, Manchester, Yorkshire and Belfast.

Mark said: "I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support out there; we have had students at home printing models to large companies getting involved to support their workers in printing.

"The support has been amazing. People want to help and to be able to play a part. The logistics of the whole effort has felt like a full-time job."

The demand meant Mark and Peter soon realised that the deliveries and collections alone were increasingly difficult without help.

Peter said: "The first recruit for help was Ron [Mark’s father]."

Ronald Moore, 82, is a well-known figure in the area. After serving in the Army Ron went on to build a business empire culminating in winning the Queen's Award for Industry for his shipping container business, employing hundreds of people and exporting products all over the world.

"Ron has always been restless, and he jumped at the chance to help with the production and deliveries," Peter said.

Ron said: "I know most people my age are in lockdown and there is a risk to me being part of this effort but I couldn’t sit back and do nothing. I think when lockdown is over I might get a chance to sit down and relax with a nice cup of tea."

As the production grew they began a GoFundMe Page to help with postage, once more production meant they needed more help and this was met by the services of the Volunteer Riders UK, a volunteer team of couriers.

The scope of Ron, Mark and Peter’s efforts have grown to include sourcing other elements of PPE including gowns and medical equipment from around the world, as well as developing a factory production of the visors and gowns.

Peter added: "The feedback from the frontline has been tremendous, we are overwhelmed at times. There is clearly a need and as you do more you learn more so we have been working to speed up production, and to offer more services."

When this emergency is over Mark and Pete’s business Protectal will start work with a major charity in developing first step intervention accommodation for people suffering homeless.

Their GoFundMe page is available online here and the Facebook page is here