We launched our initiative to use 3D printers to produce and donate visors to NHS frontline staff in Hounslow on 8th April, leveraging an existing group producing them for Surrey and Kent, and another initiative launched a couple of weeks later, targeting Chelsea & Westminster. To date we have delivered over 4,100 visors across Hounslow and Chelsea and Westminster areas; the number of printers has gone from an initial 2 to now 14 3D printers; and production, initially during normal hours, expanded to 24 hour operations. We have faced (and overcome) continual challenges - sourcing new printers and supplies from wherever we could find them, having to change how we make screens, printers breaking down, spare parts being needed, packaging and distributing the visors, etc., etc. All of this has been done using volunteers and their help and support has made this happen. We thank them all - what has been achieved in such a short time has been nothing short of remarkable.

At the start of this week we received new guidance from the Government, in the form of a document entitled "New Small-Scale Manufacturers of COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Guidance for Businesses, Organisations and Individuals" ( https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/883462/Guidance-for-businesses-and-individuals-small-scale-manufacture-of-ppe-version-1.pdf ). This constituted a sea change as to the basis under which voluntary organizations, groups and individuals (such as us) could continue to produce any classified as PPE. In summary, the only viable way any such group could continue to operate was if they became CE-certified through being assessed and approved by what is known as a Notified Body. This process would take a minimum of three weeks (preparation for the assessment, the assessment itself, and then adaptation of production to comply with the assessment requirements) and will cost thousands of pounds per assessment, with no guarantee of success.

There are literally dozens of other groups across the country such as ours producing visors in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We have been liaising with many of them over the last few days as to how to respond to this new government guidance. All of them have reached the same conclusion; due to this new guidance they cannot continue to produce visors and must therefore stop production. We have looked at the guidance in detail, sadly reached the same conclusion, and have therefore stopped producing visors.

We would like to continue donating visors produced in accordance with the new guidance to NHS and front-line staff, using the remaining balance of the funds generously donated. We are therefore looking at whether we can source visors from a producer who has the necessary approvals and certification. This would allow us to meet outstanding requests for visors whilst complying with the new government guidance. This is dependent on locating such a source (with the requisite certification) and them being able to supply within a reasonable timeframe (i.e. days rather than weeks).

To have gone from a standing start on 8th April to manufacturing and distributing over 4,100 visors across Hounslow and Chelsea and Westminster in little more than a month has been amazing - and we could not have done it without the wonderful generosity of our supporters who have donated to allow us to make this happen. We thank you all. We will endeavour to use as much as possible of the remaining funds to continue to donate visors to NHS and frontline staff. Any remaining funds left will be donated to a charity that is associated with the aftermath of Covid-19 and requires support