AN ONLINE fundraising page has been set up to help with a community effort to create protective face shields for NHS staff using 3D printing.

The Star reported how residents rallied after Eccleston-based GP Greg Irving made a request for help to create the face masks for staff.

Within hours residents had responded and created shields using 3D printers.

Residents Steven Bayliss and Sonya Horton printed protective masks.

Since, more residents have since joined in the effort and 12 3D printers have now been used as part of the effort, with 70 face shields created as of Thursday, April 2.

Cowley school has also joined in the effort.

An online fundraising page has been set up to aid the effort and it is hoped production will be ramped up in the coming weeks.

On the Go Fund Me page, Sonya Horton said: "A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far. This is really helping to make a difference.

"We now have more people helping and have access to 12 3D printers and a laser cutter, this means we can really ramp up production over the coming days and weeks. Thank you to Cowley International College and Paddy Marsden for assisting with their time and printers.

"The demand for these is absolutely huge - from hospitals to GPs to front line care workers. We have also had requests to make special door openers so that medical staff do not have to touch the door handles in their places of work helping to protect them further.

"Consequently we will be needing to purchase much more materials so if you were intending to donate but saw my previous update saying not to, we would now welcome further donations.

"Any money left in the fund at the end of all this will be donated to local charity Violet Grace's Gift, who are also assisting in this by purchasing materials."

Visit the fundraising page here.