Community technology centre to make masks

An innovative team based in Ayr High Street is bidding to tackle the shortage of protective equipment on health’s frontline.

Tsukure Hub CIC say they can produce up to 8000 face masks a WEEK for our hardworking doctors, nurses and care workers.

Using a high- powered laser cutter to make the masks, they are hoping to batch produce vital resources for the coronavirus battle.

Already, orders from private healthcare providers are coming in as word spreads of the Community Interest Company’s venture.

The team are hoping to support the scores of NHS workers in need of equipment.

It follows the development of a design for protective shields by a 3D printing company.

Now that prototype – adopted for a laser cut version – is being put to good use by the Tsukure team, who already own Ayr’s largest laser- cutter.

The CIC’s Euan Shields said: “We’ve set ourselves a fundraising target of £ 700 to get various materials together for some initial masks and the response has been great. We have capacity to produce around 8000 full- face guards a week on site with our current laser.

“And we’re hoping that can be increased if we’re able to get more lasers temporarily into our Community Art gallery.

“The potential is there to do anything up to 32,000 masks a week and this could make a huge difference to frontline workers not only in Ayrshire but far beyond.”

Tsukure, which was established three years ago in Ayr’s George Street, set up its CIC in the High Street this year, and runs workshops and community events.

Euan added: “We’re putting in place a 24- hour infrastructure so that we can operate round the clock.

“We need to support the NHS and all the care workers out there in desperate need.

“We’re trying to help in a time of need and get essential pieces of equipment to those that need them most.”

To support the team’s fundraiser and for more information, visit https:// www. facebook. com/ TsukureHub/