Family business owner answers urgent call for PPE from front line workers

By The Family Business Network

23 Apr 2020

face-shields-covid-19-staff-in-masks-no1.jpg

John Parkinson, a theatre designer from Penrith who runs the Upfront Arts Venue with wife, Elaine has drawn on his business experience, contacts and family to bring together the supply of protective face shields for front line workers in the fight against COVID-19.

Speaking about the cause, he said: “I couldn’t stand back and do nothing. There is a desperate need to protect front line workers and we have to act fast. I do believe that this is what makes many family businesses different – we just get on and make a start if something needs doing.”

Dave Clarkson, director of The Family Business Network, said: “When we heard about John’s story, we wanted to help. As one of the worthy winners at our North West Family Business Awards last month, we admired the ingenuity and dedication that John and Elaine put into their business. They are clearly treating this cause in the same admirable way and we are here to offer our support”. 

Since their not-for-profit mission began just two weeks ago, John Parkinson and Jon Stynes designs with a small voluntary team, have made, assembled, boxed and delivered over 8,000 of their protective face shields to hospitals, community ambulance services, care homes and care workers across the North West and North East.

The collaboration began when John spoke to friend and fellow business owner, Jon Stynes who was working on a new face visor design that could be produced at his fabrication facilities in Brampton. Together they investigated suitable materials and used their own funds to purchase the stock needed to begin production.

John said: “Our unique design makes these masks both recyclable and re-usable. They are made from two types of tough yet light, recyclable plastic which can be separated, and because we haven’t used elastic to keep them in place, the masks can be sterilised and re-used.

“We also came up with a child-friendly version featuring superhero designs that make them appear a little less frightening to children.

“This is very much a team effort. There are ten of us including myself and my wife, Elaine, Jon Stynes and his team at Jon Stynes Designs in Brampton. Penrith Mountain Rescue Cumbria are also helping to distribute for us.”

John added: “Our top priority was to get the masks out quickly to those in need. Having been involved with the new Cancer Care facility project at Cumberland Infirmary, I was able to reach out through my contacts to offer our support. The NHS have ordered thousands to supply all their hospitals in Cumbria. They are paying the cost price of £3 each for these, enabling us to keep helping others on the front line.

“Currently, we are supplying hospitals in Cumbria, four national children’s hospitals, NW and NE community ambulance services, BEEP doctors and many care homes and home care providers. Two hundred and fifty of our visors have been sent to the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital this week”.

After production began on 8th April, John set up a fundraising campaign to cover the cost of their original material purchase and postage. The campaign quickly exceeded that target of £2,000 and has now surpassed £10,000 which they will use to keep their production going.

John said, “We are humbled by the kind support of our friends, community and those that wish to help the cause. As our project has developed, we’ve become aware of how huge the demand is and we now need the public and the media to help us to get our message out there and provide vulnerable front line workers with the PPE they require.”

“We would like our project to help others where possible, which is why we shared our designs for free online through international design forums. They are now being used to start production of the shields in New York.”

“We are prepared for increased demand, having purchased an additional laser cutter machine. We also have a team of volunteers on stand-by to help us fulfil the orders”.

If you are a front line worker and have a requirement for protective face shields, please email your request to [email protected] with your contact details and a short explanation of your cause, how many you require and where the shields will be going.

Although the shields are being provided for free, John and his team are asking for donations to enable them to keep production going.

Updates and photos of the face shields being delivered can be found on the Upfront Arts Venue Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/upfrontarts

If you would like to support this cause, you can make a donation via their crowdfunding page, https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/john-parkinson

Latest news

1

Post Office future secured as council explores new options Abington Street Post Office

Post Office future secured as council explores new options

17 Sep 2025

2

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent Jerrod Hartley

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent

17 Sep 2025

3

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing Roger Thistlethwaite, managing director NMS Civil Engineering Limited. Paul Fox, CEO Fox Group. John Flood, Executive Director Fox Group

Fox Group makes second acquisition since Stellex Capital backing

17 Sep 2025

4

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family The Villa Wrea Green courtesy of The Villa Wrea Green

Villa at Wrea Green bought for £3.6m by Haythornthwaite family

16 Sep 2025

5

Fourth Lancashire Bodycare store to shut Nick Holloway of administrators Interpath

Fourth Lancashire Bodycare store to shut

16 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Ladies Lunch
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Sep 2025 - 18 Sep 2025

Ladies Lunch

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

12:00 - 16:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25
Metris 25.09.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin