Schools from Watford, Rickmansworth, and St Albans have rallied to provide hospitals and GPs with protective supplies.

Headteachers from at least 10 schools have donated items such as goggles, gloves, hand sanitizers and antiseptic wipes to help medics fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The schools taking part in west Hertfordshire include:

  • Westfield Academy, Watford
  • Watford Grammar School for Girls
  • Garston Manor School
  • St Michael's Catholic High School, Garston
  • Parmiter's and Francis Combe Academy, Garston
  • Queens and Falconer schools, Bushey
  • St Joan of Arc School, Rickmansworth
  • The Reach Free School, Rickmansworth
  • Rickmansworth School, Croxley Green
  • Heathlands School, St Albans

Rickmansworth School head teacher Matt Fletcher said he was delighted to be able to respond and took pride that so many schools galvanised in support to fight the pandemic, and help support the NHS.

Hertfordshire county councillor Terry Douris said: "The response across every part of Hertfordshire has been tremendous and continues day after day.

"Hertfordshire County Council is working hand in hand with our NHS and healthcare colleagues and I am delighted our schools were able to make these generous and timely donations. Huge thanks to all involved."

At a daily press briefing on Sunday, housing minister Robert Jenrick announced millions of personal protective equipment (PPE) is being delivered to hospitals and surgeries in every corner of the UK.

This includes 170 million face masks, 42.8 million gloves, 13.7 million aprons, 182,000 gowns, almost 10 million items of cleaning equipment and 2.3 million pairs of eye protectors.

Mr Jenrick said PPE was being delivered to 58,000 NHS trusts and healthcare settings, including GP surgeries, pharmacies and community providers.

He added: "Every single GP practice, dental practice and community pharmacy has had a PPE delivery. All care homes, hospices, and home care providers have, or will shortly, receive a delivery."