STAFF at Coleg Gwent have donated protective equipment and an oxygen generator to the local health board for use on the coronavirus front lines.

The Gwent-wide further education college said it wanted to donate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) after hearing how some NHS workers in the UK were struggling to protect themselves.

"The nation is extremely grateful for the dedication and commitment shown by the frontline staff who are caring for our loved ones during these unprecedented times," Ian Rowe, of Coleg Gwent, said. "Communities have shown support and appreciation by applauding our National Health Service from our doorsteps at 8pm on Thursday evenings, but Coleg Gwent staff want to do more, on a practical level.”

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Staff from various departments gathered supplies of PPE, sterilising equipment, and an oxygen generator to donate to the NHS.

This week, the college caretakers collected PPE including 28,700 disposable gloves, 1,300 disposable aprons, 92 disposable masks, 159 safety goggles, 42 fullface visors, 130 safety glasses, seven litres of hand sanitiser, and 1,400 antibacterial wipes.

This has all been donated to the Infection Control team at the Gwent-based Aneurin Bevan University Health Board – one of the most heavily affected health boards in the country.

Coleg Gwent said it hoped these supplies "will help protect our crucial frontline staff and save lives in the fight against coronavirus".