A STUDENT In his final year at Beeds Becket University studying produce design has found an ideal end product for one of his hobbies.

Taylor Overton-Barrett, also a part-time waiter at The Fleece, in Addingham, is unable to attend work or university due to the current lockdown so is completing the remainder of his degree work from home.

It was while at home he decided to start printing protective masks for use by NHS and care staff and has since formed Team Shield, a band of helpers and volunteers which includes support from members in Skipton and at Rolls Royce.

Taylor, 23, who lives in Cross Hills, said: “3D printing is one of my hobbies so when I found a design online to print protective masks, I gave it a try. I used A4 laminator paper to make the visor and posted a picture on Facebook asking if anyone wanted one, and they did.

I quickly ran out of materials and as most shops are closed and I put a request out on the Skipton Community Facebook page asking for donations for materials. The response was overwhelming. There were so many people offering their assistance in any way they could.

“Another team got in touch who were already doing something similar in Skipton and a lady helped source donations of 3D printing filament, acetate and elastic. The social media response also led to several individuals with 3D printers joining the team to help print the mask frames. To help coordinate the project I set up the ‘Covid-19 Team Shield’ Facebook group.

The Skipton based group of printers has teamed up with Rolls Royce and are getting approved masks sent out directly to the NHS. The rest of the team has focussed on providing for the NHS indirectly, and to firms within the local areas.

Since setting up the group on April 1, the group made over 450 masks in just over a week and they were delivered to a variety of places including care homes, pharmacies, medical centres and to individual nurses and paramedics. He said his aim was to produce 1,000 and the group is currently making 80 per day.

“Our NHS and key workers are putting their lives at risk. I have never done anything like this before and coordinating the project has been slightly stressful but enjoyable. I am really proud to be part of this amazing team that is making a real difference for our key workers.”

To join the Facebook group go to: Covid-19 Team Shield.