Those were the inspirational words of a Midhurst businessman who has been distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) to critical workers in the community. Dad-of-two Andrew Ward, from Elmleigh, was inspired by his 77-year-old mum Gill Ward, who has been using her sewing machine to make masks for staff at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester. Andrew said: “It’s just fantastic what she’s doing and it spurs me on. “I own a trading company and the pandemic has had an affect on our business, changing what we can and can’t import and export. “We decided to start trading PPE but, instead of making profit from the successful deals, I asked for more masks, which I have been donating to a number of local nursing homes and to my local surgery, Riverbank Medical Centre.” Andrew said the aim is to give back to the local community and encourage other businesses to ‘adapt and offer assistance’. Andrew said he has been donated 200 face shields and he has also received phone calls from locals with support. Due to this, he now has plans to supply face masks to retail staff and children in Midhurst and Petworth, for when shops and schools reopen. He added: “I know that some really good things are being done out there, and I hope that when this virus is under control, the kindness that people have shown to each other will stay, and people will feel more unified than ever before within their communities. “At the end of the day, love, kindness and compassion to others is what creates happiness. What else really matters? “There is a website up and running which nursing homes will be able to order washable reusable fabric masks from, with fast and free delivery. “We should be geared up to supply thousands within days and at no profit to the care home sector, so ultimately very affordable. “The website is www.designer-minor.com for online orders but I can be contacted on my mobile, 07831 878668, for local deliveries.” A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton: In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers. Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. Stay safe, and best wishes.