Meet the Doncaster teacher producing PPE day and night in his garage

Martin Brown’s 3D printer is currently running 24/7.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The DT teacher, from Clifton Community School in Rotherham, is one of thousands across the country who have dedicated themselves to producing PPE for our health workers, as they continue the fight against coronavirus.

But while many teachers are working from school, side-by-social-distancing-side with their colleagues, Martin – a Type 1 diabetic – is working solo out of his garage.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’ve been home for about six weeks now,” says Martin, who lives in Skellow.

Meet the Doncaster teacher producing PPE day and night in his garageMeet the Doncaster teacher producing PPE day and night in his garage
Meet the Doncaster teacher producing PPE day and night in his garage

“I was chatting to a paramedic friend of mine about a month ago and he started talking about how low the PPE supplies were nationwide.

“I already knew from various DT forums that people all over the country were doing what they could to make gear for the NHS, and so I decided to join the cause.

“I had a 3D printer and quite a lot of material around the house, so I downloaded the design and started printing.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Martin set his printer up in his garage and was soon printing between 20 and 30 visors a day, which he has since shipped off to schools in Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield, as well as a number of local GP surgeries, and critical care respiratory wards.

“My printer just runs 24 hours a day, and so I’m never too far from it,” says the 29-year-old.

“The companies that make the 3D printers, many of which are also working to make PPE, have made their own designs public, so there’s a lot of opportunity for people to get involved and do their bit.

“There’s a tremendous sense of community at the moment, and it’s great to see people rallying to help.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Three weeks into the printing process, Martin’s materials stock began to get low, and so he launched a GoFundMe page, to raise funds to buy more.

“It’s currently at £800, so I’ve been able to buy more and keep the printing going,” he says.

“Whatever I don’t end up using, I’ll be donating to charity.”

Martin has now completed hundreds of visors and says he has been receiving anything between 20 and 100 messages a day from centres and clinics asking for his help.

“I’ll keep going while ever there is a need.”

Visit Martin’s GoFundMe page to donate.