An Argyll company that swapped making awards for the likes of Ant and Dec for producing protection wear for frontline workers has been praised by the Royal Television Society.
A volunteer team of eight workers from Midton Acrylics factory in Lochgilphead has now produced 5,500 face visors, many of which have been delivered to Oban and Lochgilphead hospitals.
The factory, which is a global manufacturer of cast acrylics, normally produces deal toys, acrylic embedments and memorabilia for specialist events – including making the Royal Television Society Awards.
The factory was forced to close its doors when lockdown began but its owners were keen to help aid the country in a time of national crisis and started producing the equipment after seeing on the news there was a shortage.
Theresa Wise, chief executive of the Royal Television Society, said: “I am impressed and proud that the RTS trophy manufacturer, Midton, has pivoted their business to the manufacture of vital PPE.
“It is a wonderful example of British agility.”
National treasures Ant and Dec are just some of the celebrities who have received awards produced by the Lochgilphead firm over years.
Graham Ramsay, director of Midton Acrylics, said: “Ant and Dec love their RTS awards and they had them in the background in their last Saturday night takeaway.
“Now, however, we have completed 5,500 face shields for our locals hospitals, care homes, key workers and charities.
“This has been done in two weeks of production and we want to keep going and continue to help where needed.
“We can’t just watch it unfold on the news. We need to help. If we can get more funding our plan is to continue to make 20,000 a month, free of charge.
“We have applied to help with ventilators and have offered our skills and machinery to the government.
“We have had several communications back and forth about what we can offer.”
The design for the equipment was created with the help of the hospitals and 4C Engineering in Inverness.
Now the team are receiving more requests from other organisations in need of the protective wear.