Master Builder offer support to our NHS in troubled times 31 March 2020

​
One of the many challenges facing our NHS workers right now in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic is a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). At the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) we are proud to hear of Master Builders providing help where they can in troubled times, such as this story about R Vincent & Sons Ltd.
R Vincent & Sons Ltd are a small family-run building company based in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Established in 1983, they have been members of the FMB since 1999 and have previously won the coveted "Heavenly Builder" Master Builder Awards category for their incredible service and dedication to their clients. The business consists of founder Richard Vincent, his wife Mary, along with sons Tom and Guy, with additional support coming from a team of subcontractor electricians and plumbers.


The team uses FFP3 high-grade facemasks to protect themselves from fine dust particles in the course of their work, and typically buy packs of 100 at a time to last a full year. After misplacing their stock last year, Richard Vincent purchased another pack for 2020, and subsequently rediscovered his existing supply in lock-up. 
As the pandemic took hold across the world, Richard noticed panic buying setting in and joked that the surplus supply of facemasks could probably be sold for a decent profit. He decided on a different path however, stating "I decided not to sell them as I felt more and more uneasy at the thought of profiting from them especially at this time when we are faced with people’s greed and selfish actions reported daily on social media and by the press."
He noticed a Twitter post from Wiltshire Air Ambulance charity asking for facemasks for their paramedics as they were running out, and promptly delivered the box of 100 masks to those in need.
​Richard said '' being able to give these masks away has given me more joy than a few hundred extra pounds in the bank could ever do.''

---