Liverpool-based CIC Help Finder is pledging support for local businesses and organisations by offering free personal protective equipment, including medical grade face masks and aprons.
The initiative, which launches next week, is targeted at small businesses, as well as charities, non-profits, community groups and grassroots sports teams, with around one million face masks and 100,000 aprons to be given away.
The organisation was established in December 2019 as Food Bank Finder, a free web app designed to help people locate their nearest food bank. Its founder Dominic Lipscombe was inspired to start the CIC after learning that a sitting MP owns a similar mobile app which charges food banks for its use.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Help Finder has worked on various initiatives to support the local community, from ensuring those on the streets get fed and clothed to donating PPE to front line workers in the NHS, St Joseph’s Hospice, hostels, care homes and The Whitechapel Centre, who referred to Help Finder as “lifesaving”.
The organisation is now opening up their PPE initiative to small businesses and charities across the city region and will be working around the clock to provide much needed equipment to workers in order to keep organisations running and protect staff.
Dominic Lipscombe, Director of Help Finder, said:
“When I started the organisation in December 2019, we hadn’t anticipated the pandemic and didn’t know how much of an impact it would eventually have on vulnerable people across the country.
“Along with the rest of the work we do, our PPE initiative is our way of giving back to the wider community in Liverpool, supporting businesses and charities, and offering them vital help in these difficult times.”
“We’re incredibly grateful to PPE donations from Direct Access and Full Support Healthcare whose partnership with Help Finder has made this important initiative possible.”
Free medical face masks for non-profit or small businesses can be collected, free of charge, at Help Finder’s warehouse located at the King Edward Industrial Estate, L3 7HJ.
For further information and to claim your free PPE, contact ppe@helpfinder.org.uk.
