A ROBOTICS firm in Newtown is helping with the national effort to produce key workers with PPE during the coronavirus pandemic.

Reeco Automation, based on the Mochdre Industrial Estate, is producing face masks for frontline key workers in the NHS thanks to help from Llandinam County Councillor Karl Lewis who alerted them to a need for face shield products within the ambulance service.

A spokesman for Reeco said: "We were asked If we could help with the PPE requirements and use our in house printing technology. To date we have donated over 250 face shields to, Newtown Ambulance station, Shrewsbury Hospitals, The Oaks Care Home, Crossfield Care Home, Hafal Care Home, Llanidloes Hospital and Welshpool Hospital to name just a few.

"We feel very lucky to have been able to support our key workers and want to thank them for all their hard work and dedication at these uncertain times."

Cllr Karl Lewis said: "One of my many responsibilities as a Powys County Councillor is the safety and well being of the people I represent in my ward.

"We in Llandinam ward like many other wards in Powys are lucky enough to have an army of volunteers that have stepped in to support our community. When Kath and Gareth Davies approached me asking for PPE in particular face shields I contacted Recco who I knew were printing face shields for care workers sites and hospitals.

"After Kath and Gareth received their shields we quickly identified a need for face shields in the ambulance service. I was able to link Gareth Derwas – Clinical Team Leader Welsh Ambulance Service with Reeco who in turn were able to 3D print enough face shields for all the ambulance crews. So I would really like to thank Mr Llewylen Rees and his staff at Reeco for their donations and hard work."

Gareth Derwas, Clinical Team Leader of the Welsh Ambulance Service, added: "I would like to thank all the public for their donations that we have received. I would really like to thank Cllr Lewis for making the connections and arranging the face shields. And Mr Llewelyn Rees and his staff for their generous donation and hard work.

"We had to send a sample of the face shields away to be tested before we can use them. This is the case for any equipment we use and it was brilliant that they passed with flying colours. Being able to use equipment made locally is brilliant. These face shields will help to protect the Ambulance crews when carrying out the vital work in our communities."