A COUNTY firm has switched operations to be able to make much-needed protective equipment for those on the frontline in the Covid-19 battle.

Graphics 4 Business (G4B) is able to build 5,000 visors from its current stock but desperately needs the public to donate cash to buy more materials, so that they can provide thousands more.

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Ian Hatfield, owner of the Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate-based firm, explained the company usually produced exhibition and large format graphics, so they suffered early as the pandemic hit firms.

Mr Hatfield said: “We thought we have not got much work on, so what can we do.

“We decided we can make a difference by making the visors.

“We have a relationship already with suppliers for the materials needed, and created a design we can now manufacture.

“It is robust, it works, it can be used on wards by nurses treating coronavirus patients.

“The first run we are funding, we have got 5,000 to 6,000 visors. They are given out free to those that need them.

“We are not doing this to make profit.

“Our facilities are ready, and we’ve been able to switch our focus and our technology to produce PPE quickly.

“We want to raise £15,000, to fund making thousands of visors. Money raised covers our costs, so we can give them out free.

“But I also want to raise more than that, as anything raised and not used for this will go to charities who need the cash.”

The firm has been running for 16 years, and was founded by the Droitwich resident, who was originally born in Worcester. The team of six at G4B, including furloughed workers, are volunteering their time to support the project.

To make a donation to G4B’s vital work visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/freefacevisors.

Anyone who requires a mask can get in touch with the company by emailing c19help@g4b.co.uk or visit the G4B Facebook page.