BIG-HEARTED teachers at a Whitefield school are helping to keep key workers safe during the coronavirus outbreak by hand-making and delivering personal protective equipment (PPE).

Matt Grundy, head of design and technology at Philips High School, and art teacher Vicky Craig have been busy at work making dozens of the PPE plastic face protectors.

After advertising them online, the protectors have then been donated to the Morrison's supermarket in Stanley Road , Whitefield House care home in Church Lane, and Hamilton Rest Home in Bury New Road.

The school is now hoping to make more PPE equipment for care homes around Whitefield and Radcliffe, and has also been approached by The Fed in Prestwich, which the school has said it will do its "utmost to help".

Mr Grundy said: "Philips High is at the heart of the local community and when I saw an opportunity for us to help that community it felt like the right thing to do.

"We have a well equipped technology department and it seemed wrong to leave the facility dormant when we could be putting it to good use.

"It took a day or two before we ironed out all the creases but now we are in a position to keep making these items of PPE ­— just as soon as we are restocked with polypropylene."

Once the masks had been made they were delivered to Morrison's, Whitefield House and Hamilton Rest Home by Philips High School headteacher, Tina Owen, and assistant headteacher, Justine Bailey.

Ms Owen said: "I am so proud to be able to support key workers by providing protective masks where they are needed.

Mr Grundy leads the DT department and he has been able to make the masks with equipment we have in school.

"With the support of Ms Craig and Mrs Bailey we have delivered over 60 already and plan to do more over the coming weeks.

"Supporting the community is always important but never more so in these difficult times.

"May I pass on our gratitude to every keyworker up and down the country.

"It’s vital we all work together to support each other. I’m glad we could play our part."

However, although the school possesses the technology and machinery to make the PPE items, it is appealing for suppliers of polypropylene of a thickness between 0.5 and 0.8mm to enable staff to make more.

So far the school has already received support from Radcliffe-based GJ Plastics, which is run by Chris Farnworth.

Anyone who is able to help should contact the school on 0161 351 2200.