AN ONLINE fundraising appeal has reached its target to help a bid to create as many face protection masks for NHS and care workers as possible during the coronavirus crisis.

Residents across East Lothian with 3D printers have been using the devices to create face screens for those who need them in the course of their work.

A fundraising appeal was launched by Chris McEwan, vice-chairman of Haddington and District Community Council, to help cover the costs of materials and to buy another 3D printer to help meet the demand.

The appeal immediately proved successful, with more than 50 enquiries coming in on a daily basis to the Amisfield Park resident.

Mr McEwan has been working alongside Mike Girdwood and Paul Guest, of Tranent, to cope with the level of demand.

Mr McEwan told the Courier: “To start with, it was fine and I was using what we had.

“I had bits of filament lying about but, as orders were coming in, we were not keeping up with demand.

“Mike said about setting up a fundraising page to get another printer and to ramp up production.

“People were always asking how they could donate.

“I had only intended to get £500 and then I upped it to £800.

“The next thing I knew, I had got £1,300; it has come out not too bad.”

The fundraiser has now closed and Mr McEwan has vowed that any extra, unspent money will be used to help groups doing their bit during the coronavirus outbreak, such as Our Community Kitchen.

He said: “I’m not charging anybody for the shields. They are going where they need them – whether that is the NHS or whatever.”

It is anticipated that when each of the printers is running to capacity, more than 200 face screens could be printed on a daily basis.

Mr McEwan said that the screens were disposable and as such there was always going to be a demand from those in the medical profession.

He said district nurses would often use the screens for house visits, while carers can also use the screens.

Councillor Craig Hoy, who represents Haddington and Lammermuir, felt the gesture and the level of fundraising highlighted community spirit was very much alive and people were looking to do what they could to help out. He said: “I would just say it is quite inspirational really that people have taken it upon themselves and embraced new technology to do this.”