AFTER seeing his wife go through cancer treatment at Colchester Hospital, businessman Stewart Dryburgh knows more than most about the life-saving work the NHS and its incredible staff do.

So he wanted to do his bit, however small, to help the nurses and doctors on the frontline fighting to turn the tide against coronavirus.

Mr Dryburgh, who owns Dents and Scuffs body shop, has begun distributing protective equipment to those in need.

He has already distributed 1,000 masks, more than 5,000 pairs of gloves and even all the Hazmat suits in his workshop - but he wants to do more.

He is appealing for other businesses who may have similar equipment to get involved, either through him or on their own, even offering to pay for their protective gear so he can redistribute it.

Mr Dryburgh, who set up the firm in Rowhedge seven yearsago, said: “I have a habit of bulk buying stuff like this and I decided it was just sitting in my workshop not being any use so I might as well give them out.

“They are nothing to me as my team aren’t working at the moment, they’re furloughed on full wages.

“The masks we use are the same as the ones used by NHS staff.

“They cost me about 80p but they are now being sold online for £30, which is disgusting.”

Mr Dryburgh lives near Colchester Hospital with wife, Helen, who received life-saving treatment for cancer at the facility.

He said: “She was in hospital over Christmas as she was so ill she could not eat and so we know how important the NHS is.

“She had radiotherapy treatment and now we’re just waiting for what happens next, but obviously everything is a bit up in the air at the moment.

“I already give NHS and armed forces staff big discounts in my shop so a lot of nurses are my customers.

“Money may be tight but I need to keep my customers healthy.”

Although his main priority for the project is NHS staff, Mr Drybrugh is also happy to provide protective equipment to others who may need it.

For instance key workers or those who live with vulnerable residents but must still make trips out of the house to collect essentials.

He said: “I was in a shop the other day and a lady came in with a scarf over her face.

“She said her son had health conditions and she was worried about catching the virus and passing it to him. I went to my van and gave her a box of masks and she burst out in tears.

“People have offered to pay me but I do not want any money.”

Despite his firm being essentially out of action whilst the Government’s lockdown measures are in place, Mr Dryburgh is working hard to top up his supply of masks.

He is buying them out of his own pocket and also appealing through the firm’s Facebook page for anyone else who can help.

Businesses like Colchester Paint and Panels have already lent a hand.

“My suppliers have told me I can order one pack of masks a day so I am getting more in slowly,” he said.

“I hope we can get other body shops involved or anyone who uses hazardous chemicals and has masks. With the amount of body shops we have in the area we could easily get thousands of masks out to people who need them.”

To find out more, or see how you can help, visit facebook.com/dentsandscuffsltd.

Here at The Gazette we’ve launched a campaign to help businesses, like Mr Dryburgh’s, get through the coronavirus pandemic.

We’re urging people to shop local and support independent businesses in any way they can during the crisis.

Readers can support the campaign by using the hashtag #BackingEssexbusiness. You can shout out a local business which has gone above and beyond, or tell us about the ways your business is coping.

For more info, email gazette. newsdesk@newsquest.co.uk.