Lowestoft Lions President Lion John Swatton presents the £10,000 cheque from local Lions Clubs to Ann Filby Head of Communications & Corporate Affairs (JPUH) - watched by (L-R) Lion Stephen Pyzer - President of Norfolk Broads Lions Club, Julia Hunt Director of Infection Prevention & Control (JPUH) and Lion Janice Barr - President of Great Yarmouth Lions Club. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO OF THE MACHINE IN ACTION
Local Lions clubs have united to fund a piece of hospital equipment key in protecting workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Eight Lions clubs within the catchment area for the James Paget University Hospital funded the specialist equipment, which ensures face masks worn by NHS staff are fitted correctly and giving the best protection possible against Covid-19 and other highly infectious viruses.
The project, co-ordinated by John Swatton, President of the Lowestoft Lions Club, was supported by Lions Clubs in Beccles & District, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk Broads, Lowestoft, Southwold, Halesworth, Bungay and Wroxham and Hoveton.
A James Paget spokesperson said: “Face fit testing is designed to provide workers with the best protection against the effects of hazardous materials, in this case Covid-19. It can ensure the best possible seal to the user’s face, reducing the chances of any dangerous particles entering the mask and being inhaled. Respiratory protective equipment is essential to reduce the risk of work-related illness and death. However, you can’t be sure of your mask’s effectiveness without it being tested.”
The equipment cost around £10,000. The Lions International Emergency Fund also provided a grant to support the local clubs’ efforts. The JPUH spokesperson said: “Quantitative fit testing or QNFT, provides a numerical measure of how well a facepiece seals against a wearer’s face. “QNFT is performed by collecting and analysing air samples from within the respiratory inlet cover of the respirator while it is worn by the intended user. “These tests give an objective measure of face fit.”
Beccles & District Lions President - Chris Eglington commented “In more normal times - we regularly co-operate with the Lowestoft Lions for fund raising activities - which this year have mostly been cancelled. When President John contacted us - we readily agreed to make a major contribution to this request for help from our Local major Hospital”.
A worldwide organisation, individual Lions Clubs are locally administered and members who come from all walks of life, fundraise and distribute the fruits of their efforts to deserving local causes and disadvantaged people.
SEE THE VIDEO OF THE EQUIPMENT IN ACTION