Hundreds of science goggles have been donated to Kingston Hospital and GP surgeries by local schools to protect NHS staff against the coronavirus.

“We are all immensely proud to be part of a collaborative effort to support our fantastic NHS colleagues in their brave fight against coronavirus,” said Niall Smith, headteacher of Surbiton’s Southborough High School, whose sixth form science students, wearing goggles, are pictured with teacher Darnesha Yuvarajah

Siobhan Lowe, headteacher at Tolworth Girls’ said the goggle initiative was a combined Kingston and Surrey effort.

“All schools were more than happy to be involved. Tolworth Girls’ school donated glasses to our GPs too as they did not have the necessary equipment either.”

Sophie Cavanagh headteacher at Kingston Academy, who organised the initiative, and whose school in Richmond Road, Kingston, formed the hub of the operation, said: “The response has been amazing but as heads we know how to unite our communities and we understand the need to fulfil our civic duty

“It was a very small gesture to be able to make for the heroes working tirelessly in the NHS. We salute them!”

Ms Cavanagh said her team sanitised the goggles which were either collected by an A&E consultant at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, taken to Kingston Hospital by Tiffin Girls’ headteacher Ian Keary (staff in the surgical team pictured wearing some of the goggles below) or shipped out to local GPs by Tolworth Girls’ (“with a truckload of biscuits!”)

The key message, said Ms Cavanagh, was to make it a national campaign and “clean out all schools of goggles if that is what the NHS need us to do”.

“The rapid response is needed as we have gained a clearer understanding of the changing need for PPE (personal protective equipment) over the past week and it has become clear that school science lab goggles are potentially a life saver,” she explained.

“It is about schools desperately wanting to help NHS staff, responding quickly instead of leaving goggles sitting unused in schools that are closed.

“The aim is to get other schools to donate their goggles and disposable gloves to our wonderful NHS colleagues if they have not already done so.”

Ms Cavanagh said the academy had also received a delivery of many hundreds more goggles from Richmond schools.

“These are being sent to Kingston, St George’s, GP practices and health clinics,” she added.

Councillor Diane White, portfolio holder for Children’s Services including Education, said: “I am very proud to add my thanks to our local schools, their students and staff, for the kindness in providing goggles where they are most needed.

“Schools are at the centre of our community and are showing their character and compassion during this very difficult period.”

Schools involved in Kingston included:

• The Kingston Academy
• Tiffin Girls’
• St Phillip’s
• Tolworth Girls’
• Coombe Boys’
• Chessington School
• Coombe Girls’
• Southborough High
• Richard Challoner
• Holy Cross

Below, NHS staff at St Helier Hospital in Sutton were grateful to receive goggles from headteacher Ben Bartlett and his staff at Hinchley Wood school, and other schools, colleges and nail bars in the Elmbridge area.