Top Dorset club comes to the rescue of NHS workers

Golfers from Dorset’s historic Ferndown Golf Club are helping build a defence against Coronavirus by sourcing face masks for NHS workers.

Club member John Hollingdale, an orthopaedic surgeon, knew that most face masks used in the building trade would protect against infection from Covid-19. He contacted past-captain Matt Fleming to ask about his contacts in the sector – and from there everyone swung into action.

Matt’s post on LinkedIn – the business networking site – was viewed by thousands of people in the building trade who began donating their spare equipment.

Developers started contacting their suppliers and sub-contractors… and one even jumped into his car and delivered the personal protective equipment (PPE) directly to a hospital.

It prompted the Home Builders’ Federation, the industry body, to get involved and launch its PPE4NHS campaign.

Ferndown’s members include former football manager Harry Redknapp and was where the Voice of Golf, Peter Alliss learned to play the game – his father Percy was the professional there.

Ferndown’s general member Ian Walton said: “The response following the initial idea from John Hollingdale has been remarkable. It started a ball rolling – and it hasn’t stopped. We have even got members sourcing masks directly from China.

“Almost all of the UK’s top developers rallied behind the Home Builder’s Federation’s campaign and tens of thousands of PPE items have been delivered.

“Furthermore, the Alliss Invitational Charity heard about the campaign and immediately donated £2,500.

“Another connection the club has with the national effort to combat the coronavirus is that part of the newly-built Nightingale Hospital is named after our life member Dame Yvonne Moores (longtime Chief Nursing Officer for England).

“Our club and our members will continue to help in any way we can to support those in the fight against coronavirus.”