Meet the Swanmore College teacher who gave up his holidays to make face shields for front-line workers

Design and technology teacher, David Hedicker, spent the Easter bank holiday weekend using the school’s laser cutter to make hundreds of protective visors which have now been distributed to Queen Alexandra Hospital, Rowans Hospice and local care homes.

David said: ‘I wanted to see what I could do to help the cause. I had seen examples of face shield designs and wanted to see if it was compatible with our machine. I came in on Good Friday and made 100 as an initial trial. By the Tuesday I had made another 350 which were quickly snapped up.’

Since then, as well as setting his online lessons, selfless David has been dedicating four hours each day to the production of the vital life-saving equipment and has now made and distributed nearly 1,000 shields.

‘We did run out of plastic for the visors but a local company, Mountstone Applications, have provided additional supplies free of charge.’

Plastic for the headbands has been provided from the school’s own budget.

Heateacher Kyle Jonathan said: ‘I think it’s absolutely terrific what David has done and as a school we are very proud of him.’

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For Kyle and David, the depth of gratitude shown by organisations receiving the shields has demonstrated the overwhelming need for the equipment.

Kyle commented: ‘We had a lady who arrived from Shedfield Lodge care home who have lost people to Covid-19. She burst into tears when she collected the shields.’

David added: ‘It’s really satisfying to read the comments on Facebook and to see just how much this is appreciated.’

One poster, who works at Queen Alexandra Hospital, commented: ‘Thank you - it will be very much appreciated.’

The face shields are just one way in which the school has used its resources to help support the coronavirus cause. Various departments at the school have donated 2,000 pairs of gloves, 1,200 aprons and 300 pairs of goggles to front-line workers.

Kyle said: ‘It’s amazing to see the level of community spirit generated with people coming together for a common cause.’

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