A star for difficult times

A unique view of PPE

A schoolgirl moved by the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline workers amid the pandemic used the battle to create a unique superhero.

Nine-year-old Erin Sibbald, who attends Mossneuk Primary, was tasked with creating a superhero who fights coronavirus as part of her home schooling.

She then had to write a story and creative Erin came up with Passionately Protective Ember (PPE).

The short story tells of the superhero’s battle against Cruella Corona who is sweeping through her town.

In Ember’s armoury is pistols shooting hand sanitiser, an endless supply of PPE and a two-metre tape measure which shoots out of her boot.

Passionately Protective Ember – along with sidekick Percy the Patroller – show the villain the damage she is wreaking and tell he it’s time to change her ways. Erin also drew her own illustrations, with mums Rachel and Julie proud that their young daughter realised just how important PPE is and the difficulties faced by the community in such unprecedented times.

Rachel told the News: “Erin has always been an avid reader and loves writing. But we think she did a fantastic job coming up with this story.

“She is aware of everything going on and Julie works in pharmaceuticals so has an even deeper understanding of the problems around PPE.”

Erin was so moved by the fact that for a lot of those on the frontline, sourcing the equipment has been a struggle.

“That’s where the story came from and she just didn’t think it was fair that it was so difficult for people.”

Erin’s class teacher Mrs Miller also thought Erin’s story was fantastic, which was a real boost for the kind-hearted youngster.

“Her teacher was really pleased with her work and we just think it’s so nice she cares so much,” Rachel went on.

She came up with the idea all by herself and worked on all the drawings, which were just fantastic.” Erin said : “I really enjoyed writing the story.

“There is a lot of things happening in the world at the moment and I thought that this was an important thing to write about and I know how important PPE is.”

Home schooling has had its up and downs for Erin.

She added: “It has been nice spending time with my mums, but it will also be good when we go back to school so I can see everyone again.”