OTLEY'S MP has been delivering thousands of pieces of protective equipment to care providers - with some help from a local rock star.

Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) raised his concerns about the national shortages of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for frontline workers in the fight against the coronavirus last week.

Since then he has taken direct action to help by obtaining and distributing thousands of face masks, visors and other much-needed protective items to local care homes, GP practices and hospices.

For the deliveries the MP was assisted by Simon Rix: the bass player from the chart-topping, Leeds-based Kaiser Chiefs.

After calling on the Government to act Mr Sobel put out a direct appeal to the public to help and received a deluge of responses. They included offers of help from:

*A North Leeds businessperson, who trades with Vietnam, who managed to procure and supply 5,000 face masks

*A department of Leeds University which has gathered in PPE supplies from Chinese students whose families have sent over masks to help

*A couple with links to a paragliding company in Austria, which provided gowns.

Local residents have also been donating visors which they have been producing in workshops like Otley's Maker Space.

Mr Sobel said: "It was frustrating waiting for the Government to act, and too often the supply chains to the care sector were jammed or have fallen apart all together.

"The famed ‘bulk drops’ to resilience forums have not ended up with the care sector getting the PPE they need.

"So we thought we would act ourselves, asking the public for donations.

"We have had a brilliant response. We have been given face masks from a businessperson who trades with Vietnam, surgical PPE from students at Leeds University, gowns from an Austrian paragliding business and visors made by local people.

"We are in constant communication with our care homes, GPs and hospices and have delivered thousands of pieces directly and continue to do so. It is disappointing that we are having to do the work of a responsible Government."

Mr Rix added: "It is a pleasure working with Alex and, whilst we are obviously being safe and taking precautions, it feels good in these times to be doing something proactive and positive.

"We have had lots of deliveries and the facilities we go to are clearly grateful for the help. We will keep going while there is a need, but I hope the Government comes through soon."

Among those who have expressed their appreciation to the MP is Elaine Hill, the hospice director for Sue Ryder whose care centres include Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds.

In an e-mail to Mr Sobel she said: "I just wanted to thank you for your continuous support during this COVID-19 crisis. I have worked in healthcare as a nurse and a leader for many years and never experienced anything like this."