AN engineer has produced thousands of vital protective facemasks for frontline health workers using 3D printers at his home.

David Mordecai, from Oakhurst, has so far delivered more than 3,500 visors to carers across Swindon, including Nissi Homecare, Crystal Caring and First City Nursing Services.

The project launched on March 28 and attracted other engineers from across the UK willing to support David.

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David, who owns Mordecai Plastering Services, said: “Originally, we were working on trying to make a respirator but that was just so far out of the equation, so we decided to work on something that we could produce.

"Something that was simple that we could pass on to people around the UK and that’s what we achieved.

“We collectively gathered together to try and produce these facemasks that are locally needed.

“I can guarantee that we have saved possibly hundreds, possibly thousands of people by doing this.”

Swindon Advertiser: A protective face visor A protective face visor

The lack of protective equipment given to key workers led him to find a short-term solution to protect them from contracting Covid-19.

He said: “The fact that the key workers have not had protective gear has actually put significant risk on a large percentage of the population that isn’t going to end up in hospital. That’s our concern.

“Once we released this project on social media, it took two days to get through them due to the influx of local people messaging me and asking for help. It’s not tomorrow they need them, it's now. We are doing our best to do that.”

Crystal Caring, which is based in Cheney Manor, has received 500 visors from David.

Director and register manager Tamera Norman said: “David really helped us.

"We had nothing like that. He has been an absolute saviour because otherwise we still wouldn’t have this equipment."

But the Swindon care company still needs more PPE to protect the staff. She added: “We still can’t get facemasks, which is quite scary.”

David is producing around 500 facemasks a day from his home, using seven different 3D printers.

Swindon Advertiser: 3 D printers3 D printers

To help assemble the visors and deliver them, he was joined by his friends Steve, Sue and Jason Smith. “It is a collective effort and many people have helped us achieve our goal including Josef Mouris, Richard Blackwell and Dani G Ellison,” David said. “The Smiths have helped with everything. They have been amazing.”

The initiative is paid for through a Gofundme page, which has raised more than £2,300 so far.

But David has made a plea.

He said: “The acetate sheet that we use has been difficult to procure. We are trying to establish connections with some suppliers but now they are running out.

“It is a massive plea, we are looking for people who can source this material. I really feel that companies should actually reach out in this time and help."

To support David visit gofundme.com/f/ppe-medical-visors-in-need.