EFFORTS from schools across the city to support the NHS have been brought together into three hubs to make scrubs, face shields and deliver essential supplies to families.

After being overwhelmed by volunteers from school staff, education bosses have set up three main centres in St Thomas Aquinas, Govan and All Saints secondaries.

Individual schools have been making the face shields for several weeks but bringing their efforts together will increase production of them to deliver to hospital staff.

Teachers and support staff are using a bespoke design by Dr ­Michael O’Neill, a specialist based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

It is being replicated in the hubs using 3D printers, laser cutters and resources that have been loaned and donated by local schools and nurseries.

The shields will be used by frontline staff in hospitals and laser-cut PPE will be used in the city’s additional support for learning schools.

Another production line is also busy at Hyndland Secondary making hospital scrubs to boost supplies for medical staff in the fight against coronavirus.

The sewing hub is made up of volunteers from school staff and members of the public including Sheila Hynes, the mum of Glasgow’s education director, Maureen McKenna.

Donations of bed linen and material are being turned into much needed scrubs at the school for frontline workers.

Shelia, a dressmaker, said: “I’m not the type of person who can just sit – I need to be doing something.

“So I’m pleased that my skills can be used to do something that’s really useful although, of course, I wish none of this was necessary at all.”

Sheila was given 36 pieces for the pattern that had been 3D printed at a school and says it took her two hours to put them all together – the “hardest part” of the job.

She has collected unused bed linen from neighbours and friends and the scrubs will be used on paediatric wards.

While hers are one colour, she said other people have used children’s bedding to make scrubs with characters such as the Lion King to brighten up children’s wards.

Volunteers are also working in hubs across the city to support Glasgow families with essential food and items that are being

donated and delivered to families most in need in the local communities as the effect of the crisis deepens.

Staff from St Mungo’s Academy, Knightswood Secondary and Rosshall Academy are working in partnership with the third-sector organisation FARE to help distribute resources to as many of their school families as they can.

Drumchapel High and Hyndland Secondary also have teams of staff collecting and distributing food parcels from the Knightswood Secondary food hub.

Associated primaries will soon be doing the same.

Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Education, Skills and Early Years, said: “I’m so proud of our staff and volunteers for stepping in when the citizens of Glasgow need it

most.

“This crisis has had such an impact on our communities but the spirit and resilience of everyone involved in the specialist hubs that are springing up across our schools is proof that we are all in this together.

“Glasgow will be a stronger place after this pandemic and that will be because of the tenacity of Glaswegians and their sense of pride in helping others and when in need.”