A WREXHAM PPE-making facility has closed its doors after two years of life-saving work during the pandemic.

Two years ago, the first 3D printer was built to start making protective face shields in what would become the PPE Hwb Wrecsam amid desperate shortages of PPE across the country.

After being founded by a local family, a team of volunteers began working around the clock 3D printing PPE at Ysgol Clywedog.

The Leader: Isaac and Joseph Sparey-Taylor, and their mum and dad, founded the project. Isaac and Joseph Sparey-Taylor, and their mum and dad, founded the project.

They then moved to Gresford Memorial Hall and continued the operation before moving to their own factory in Llay - provided free of charge by Wrexham Council. There, they produced injection-moulded category 3 CE approved face shields - which were supplied to people across the country.

The Leader:

For two years they have offered free PPE to all who requested it. For two Christmases, the hwb ran a 'Maskmas' project to offer free face masks to the public in Wrexham town centre and Ty Pawb. 

They have likely saved countless lives. 

The Leader:

Zia Cruz, a volunteer and community interest company director at hwb, said: "Our work is now done and today on our second anniversary we announce that PPE Hwb has closed its doors for the last time. Our final donation sees 17,000 units of PPE going to Ukraine this week.

"A total of 250,000 units of PPE later we thank you all for your amazing support. We look forward to refurbishing and distributing 3D printers to local schools to encourage a new generation of 3D printing enthusiasts and the hope that if the need ever arises in the future there will always be those ready to respond."

The Leader: