A group of dedicated volunteers on Skye are working to produce about 2,000 face shields to protect local health workers.
The Skye Shield team, initially formed by local men Graeme Deas, Andrew Shaw and Craig Stewart, have liaised with NHS Highland and Project Corran, a collaboration between Aseptium and 4c Engineering of Inverness, to design the protective equipment.
The group will create approximately 2,000 face shields, with local firm Sitekit offering funding to purchase materials.
Highland Council is also supporting the group through the local members’ ward discretionary fund after being lobbied by local councillor John Finlayson.
Mr Finlayson said: “It is encouraging to see local people taking ownership of a project that supports frontline workers at this difficult time. Myself and my fellow councillors have been delighted to support in some small way the efforts of Skye Shield.”
The shields are made of clear PVC plastic, medical-grade foam and a medical tourniquet, which acts as an elastic band.
The manufacturing process makes use of digital fabrication to cut parts for the shields before they are then assembled by hand.
On average, 250 shields are created each day with more than 500 already being delivered to local organisations within the Skye area.
Sitekit chief executive Elgar Finlay said: “Sitekit has worked successfully with NHS and we were delighted to be able to support our partners and colleagues through this endeavour.
“All of the Skye Shield team should be proud of what they have achieved with this fantastic effort to manufacture and supply valuable PPE to our NHS and the local community.”
The Skye Shield group has vowed to produce shields for as long as they are required and thanked the various organisations involved for supporting their project.