Harborough hero hopes to start making face shields for frontline NHS staff again – weeks after he was told to stop

A Harborough hero is hoping to start making vital face shields for frontline NHS staff again – weeks after he was told to stop.

Aaron Shrive, 31, is targeting getting his astonishing one-man PPE production line back under way in the next two or three weeks after being backed by Harborough MP Neil O’Brien.

The Good Samaritan, whose amazing exploits have spread nationwide, has already turned out over 6,000 face shields and other pieces of PPE equipment.

Aaron, of Ashley Way, Market Harborough, told the Harborough Mail: “We are finally starting to make real progress.

“I’m much more positive and optimistic now about making a real breakthrough so that we can all get back to saving lives.”

The PPE powerhouse and 3D printer wizard was abruptly stopped in his tracks last month by warnings that he has to meet strict British and EU product standards.

“I’ve now spoken to the Government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards.

“Slowly but surely we are progressing towards accreditation,” said Aaron.

“We are working on a unified and approved design to be used across the 3D Printing community all over the country.

“It’s a shame that this wasn’t done weeks ago right at the start of this Covid-19 crisis.

“Officials seem to have been reactive rather than pro-active.

“It’s tricky because this whole issue cuts across various Government departments – such as Health and Safety too.

“But I’m confident that we are definitely heading in the right direction at last.”

The former Robert Smyth Academy student also praised Neil O’Brien for backing him.

“He’s fighting our cause in the House of Commons and we are grateful for his help,” said Aaron.

“I am still being inundated with emails and calls every day from hospitals, medical centres and care homes asking me for PPE equipment.

“I’ve told them that all being well we are now much closer to getting back to work.

“The sooner I can get back to meeting demand for PPE, which is still massive, and working day in day out for the NHS and other critical workers the better.”

Neil O’Brien highlighted the controversial issue during business questions to the Leader of the House, Jacob Rees Mogg, on Thursday June 11.

The MP saluted Aaron and fellow constituents Chris Lee and Thomas Barwick, who have produced thousands of plastic face visors between them.

Neil said: “I’d like to pay tribute to these three constituents.

“They have literally been working around the clock to produce these face visors, by setting alarms throughout the night to reset their production.

“We know there has been a global shortage of PPE.

“So their efforts have been incredibly helpful and appreciated by thousands of local people.”

Aaron and his fellow volunteers could face having to fork out £1,200 to become accredited to make PPE.

“Of course, we need to adhere to strict standards to ensure their safety.

“But we need to help volunteers with the expensive costs of getting accredited,” stressed Neil.

“I’m pleased the Government has convened a group to look to look at some form of pre-approved design, which would remove the need for separate and expensive checks.

“It’s something I will continue to pay close attention to and press for - to ensure volunteers are helped by the system, not prohibited from doing what is an incredibly helpful thing.”