Housebuilders forced to down tools at sites across Tayside have donated much-needed protective gear to frontline workers.
GS Brown has handed over vital life-saving supplies, including masks, gloves and paper aprons, to key staff at Perth and Kinross Council.
The Glencarse-based firm has not always seen eye-to-eye with the local authority in a series of public spats, including a row over an advertising board at McDiarmid Park and delays at the Oudenarde development, near Bridge of Earn.
But in a display of solidarity, the company has delivered boxes of kit to the council’s Pullar House. Bosses are urging other businesses to consider similar donations.
“GS Brown are delighted to be able to donate our workshop stock to help our key worker heroes,” a spokesman said.
The council responded on social media with a “big, big thank you”.
Meanwhile, days after halting work at its Kinross development, Persimmon Homes has announced it will gather up spare personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Lathro Farm site and hand it over to doctors and nurses battling Covid-19.
The equipment, from Persimmon sites across Scotland, have gone to local hospitals.
Regional managing director Doug Law said: “I am delighted that we have been able to step up and donate this much-needed equipment.
“Our NHS is doing a tremendous job in this fight against coronavirus. We all appreciate the work the doctors and nurses are doing to look after people in need and we’re pleased that we can help in this small way. They deserve to be as protected as possible.”
During the crisis, Persimmon is supporting groups that benefit over-70s with £64,000 of grants through its Community Champions scheme.
The company halted non-essential work at Kinross and other sites at the end of March. There has been some confusion over how Britain’s construction industry should react to coronavirus, with government policy allowing sites to stay open if staff safety can be ensured.
Perth-based A&J Stephen began a shutdown of its sites last week. A spokeswoman said it was also offering support to frontline workers in the NHS: “We were keen to do what we can in a situation which affects each and every one of us, and have donated all the relevant PPE which we had, a small number of face masks.”
