As the country continues to battle against the coronavirus outbreak, dozens of kind Bucks companies have taken it upon themselves to join the fight.

While many businesses have taken a hit because of the impact of coronavirus, some have decided to do what they can to help those in vital need – whether that be making urgently-needed scrubs, turning their hand to sanitiser production or 3D printing vital equipment.

Here is a list of some of the Bucks companies and organisations who are working extra hard to help the NHS and other authorities tackle the virus.

Sabeti Wain Aerospace

The Sands-based company usually makes aircraft seat covers for airlines such as British Airways, Qantas and Etihad, but workers have put aside their usual production to instead make more than 5,000 scrubs and gowns for the NHS.

They are already supplying Stoke Mandeville Hospital as well as a number of care homes which they were put in touch with via Wycombe MP Steve Baker.

The family-run business has been in High Wycombe for more than 37 years and Amy FitzGibbon, from the company, said staff could not be prouder to be helping in the coronavirus fight.

The company wants to offer its help to even more people – go to www.sabetiwainaerospace.com/location-and-contact to get in touch.

BuyLocalShops

Penn entrepreneur Russ Whitlock has developed an e-commerce product that aims to help local shops provide their products in an online shop. BuyLocalShops.com will let shops supply their goods to their community during this tough time.

When a shop signs up to the service, they can access their own area on the website, record the quantity and price of individual goods and then make them available through the online shop.

Customers can buy the goods through a click and collect service and shops can also offer a local delivery service.

Russ says the simple technology can help local businesses that have reluctantly had to close their doors stay afloat and continue trading without large numbers of people heading into their shop.

When a customer places an order via the online system, the retailer gets a notification and can then accept the order and prepare the items for collection or delivery.

Balform

Based in Wooburn Green, Balform is usually a supplier of aircraft parts but has started manufacturing safety visors for front-line health professionals.

The devices were designed, prototyped and scaled up to production in a matter of days to help those who urgently need them.

The visors are made of medical-grade materials and allow prescription or protective eyewear to be worn underneath, while offering full-face protection from fluids or spray.

CEO Brian Lovelock said the aircraft industry is demanding, so as soon as the urgent need for visors became apparent, staff were quick to mobilise to help the national effort.

Ai Healthcare

The Naphill-based company has a team of highly skilled engineers and support staff dedicated to the healthcare industry, including dental, medical and veterinary.

Their engineers have been working hard to service and repair a supply of older ventilators for the NHS – many of which have been returned via an equipment amnesty.

Just before the outbreak, the company had also developed exclusive partnerships for products that could provide a valuable disinfection solution.

The world-first STERISAFE PRO robot is chemical free and disinfects entire rooms by creating ozone gas, eliminating pathogens up to 99.999 per cent – that has been independently verified to include coronavirus.

Ai Healthcare business director David Parker said he was “incredibly proud” to offer their services to help the NHS and other businesses or government bodies who may need help.

Griffiths Brothers gin distillery

The Amersham family-run gin distillery has turned its hand to producing sanitiser. It was initially producing small amounts to give out to local GP surgeries, but as demand grew, they are now selling hand sanitiser at a cost to the NHS and front-line services.

Ideally, they want to be able to give the hand sanitiser out to the NHS and others in need for free – so are asking for donations from the public to be able to do this.

To donate, go online to www.gofundme.com/f/hand-sanitiser-to-nhs-and-front-line-staff

The British Honey Company

Based near Oakley, The British Honey Company has also decided to start using its distillery to make alcohol sanitiser and is selling it – along with disposable medical masks – on its website, britishhoney.co.uk

Bucks New University

The High Wycombe university has offered out its nursing simulation labs and meeting rooms to help relieve pressure on hospitals in the area. It also donated 13,500 items of PPE to the NHS – including face masks, visors, gowns, aprons and surgical gloves.

University of Buckingham

Around 40 medical students have stepped in to help at different hospitals and GP surgeries – doing tasks like admin support of working as healthcare assistants. Meanwhile, the university is liaising with the NHS and is using its 3D printing facilities to print face shields for medical staff and key workers.