Moorland estates in the Tomatin region have stepped in to supply PPE for NHS workers, donating protective eyewear normally used on shoot days.

Members of the Tomatin Moorland Group decided to step up after becoming aware of national shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which can protect medical staff from Coronavirus.

At this time of year, estates have boxes of unopened safety glasses, ready to distribute to sporting clients on shoot days over the moors, or for other estate work.

However, after discussing the round-the-clock efforts to supply protective equipment for frontline UK health staff, it was decided to donate as many of the safety glasses the estates could muster between them.

Leanne Jaundrell of the Tomatin Moorland Group was responsible for co-ordinating the effort and ensuring the Head Gamekeepers from all five estates in the area could deliver what they had available.

Leanne said:

“All of the estates order in safety glasses for the use of guests when shooting. At the moment, given all the concern about shortages of PPE, the estates felt it was appropriate to give the hospital workers what we had. NHS staff are doing an incredible job in very difficult circumstances and we are pleased to be able to help.”

Shipments have now been delivered to Ian Charles Community Hospital, Grantown-on-Spey and St Vincent’s Hospital, Kingussie.