Former Oakham School pupil is playing a part in protecting health workers

An ex-pupil of Oakham School is joining the fight against coronavirus by raising funds for a vital piece of equipment.

Jenna Petit-Keighley has teamed up with the designer and ex-paralympian Matthew Campbell-Hill to raise money to manufacture an aerosol shield.

The shield - which Jenna describes as “essentially a pop-up tent that’s clear plastic” - will provide protection for health workers.

Matthew designed the product for patients to wear over their head and shoulders. It will significantly minimise the risk of exhaled breath droplets containing Covid-19 reaching staff.

Jenna, 40, said: “The idea is the aerosol shield can be deployed and put together in a minute; it takes far less time than a full set of personal protective equipment that could take three to five minutes.”

She added: “It’s not to replace PPE, it’s an additional barrier. It’s all about adding an extra layer of protection.”

Jenna believes the product “could be a game-changer for health workers” as well as to allow families to say goodbye to their loved ones. She has set up a GoFundMe page which has raised more than £33,000 out of its £350,000 goal.

The team working on the non-profit project is looking to start manufacturing the product in the next couple of weeks.

“It has short-term urgency but long-term use,” Jenna said.

Jenna, who is using her contacts to help spread information about the product in hope to get funding, said she developed her communication skills while at school.

“I always come back to the experiences I learnt at Oakham School,” she said.

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