A TEACHER has made and donated hundreds of face masks to the NHS in memory of his late daughter.

Kevin Bailey has already handed out 250 pieces of personal protective equipment to doctors and nurses working during the coronavirus crisis.

Mr Bailey, who is a design and technology teacher at Maltings Academy in Witham, has been making the most of his spare time during the lockdown by making protective equipment at home.

He felt compelled to answer the NHS' call for PPE because of its help and support when his 19-year-old daughter, Rhiannon, tragically died two years ago.

She lost her battle against pneumonia having had to overcome a stem cell transplant used to treat her for Hodgkin lymphoma - a form of cancer.

Mr Bailey said: "We had a lot of support from the NHS when my daughter fought cancer.

"There were times when she was on cancer wards, in intensive care and high dependency. I know how important PPE is from seeing doctors and nurses using it at that time.

“A friend of Rhiannon’s works in a care home and for St John Ambulance and I became aware of the struggle to get the necessary PPE, so I made 20 pieces for them and it went from there."

Along with face masks, Mr Bailey has also been making ear protectors to ease the strain on nurses and doctors having to wear protective equipment during long shifts.

He added: "Design and technology teachers around the country have come together to produce PPE. I have been printing the equipment at home using my 3D printer, doing whatever I can to help.

"We keep remembering Rhiannon. I know she would have been helping out now if she had the chance.

"I have done this for her friends as I do not want to see them suffering."

Maltings Academy head James Forbes said: “The work Kevin has been doing during this time of national crisis is an inspiration to both the staff and students at Maltings Academy.

"He certainly embodies the academy value of being big-hearted and we are immensely proud of him."