A CHURCH in Wrexham, close to the location of recent coronavirus mobile testing units, has issued more than 600 face visors to those in need.

St Mark’s Church on Bryneglwys Road in Caia Park is providing CE approved face shields for anyone in need of PPE and has limited supplies still available.

Anyone requiring a face covering can text their requirement to 07907 654012 and the church is open every Tuesday between 1pm and 2pm for people to collect them.

Donations are welcome, which are returned to Hwb Wrecsam, a community interest company run by volunteers making the shields.

The see-through shield is helpful for those working with people who lip-read or are hard of hearing. It also provides wearers with an alternative to using a mask, especially for people required to wear a face-covering all day.

The project co-ordinator at St Mark’s Church, Art Ellinson said: “I’m really pleased that the church is able to support adults in need of this form of PPE.

The free face visors will help people in their job, in their volunteering or may give people confidence to leave their home.

“The face visors have been made to a CE approved standard. They are reusable and have an adjustable headband so will fit most adults.

“Face visors allow the whole face to be visible. They are comfortable to wear, easy to breath in and are easier to communicate in than a face covering.”

The Leader:

The face shields have been made by Hwb Wrecsam and the distribution is funded by the Diocese of St Asaph’s Coronavirus Emergency Fund, a £40,000 pot to help churches support those most in need in their community. Two other churches in the diocese – St Peter’s in Holywell and All Saints in Newtown - are also acting as PPE hubs, providing face shields to those in need.

Among the other projects supported by the St Asaph Coronavirus Emergency Fund is a weekly afternoon tea delivered to older members of the community in Bala, a meal delivery service in Llangollen and the distribution of “feel good” packs to keyworkers and those who were shielding by St Mary’s Church in Ruabon.

Hwb Wrecsam was set up by the former of Curate of St Mark’s Church, Revd Rebecca Sparey-Taylor and her family. It started in Ysgol Clywedog before moving to Gresford and is now operating in Llay.

Last week, two mobile coronavirus testing units were set up in Caia Park and Hightown following a spike in Covid-19 cases in the town.

Only eleven out of 1,418 people tested positive for the virus, indicating no evidence of widespread community transmission in the town.