Cannock business donates 15,000 face masks

Super Smart Service Limited, which has recently set up in Cannock, has donated 10,000 free fluid resistant surgical face masks to Cannock Chase Council with 5,000 FFP2 standard face masks for NHS clinical use to follow.

The company, based at Kingswood Lakeside in the town, works in partnership with a large global logistics enterprise Zongteng Group headquartered in China.

They contacted Cannock Chase Council with the offer a few days ago and gave it the opportunity to take up delivery at the earliest opportunity. As part of the offer the company asked that the donation include a supply of masks to public sector organisations in Lichfield and Walsall in recognition of its other outlets in these towns.

This week 2,000 of the masks have been sent to Walsall Council to be used by their social care staff and 1,000 masks have been sent to Lichfield District Council to support their Community Vulnerability Hub and the delivery of essential services.

Cannock Chase Council has made an offer across other local public sector organisations to bid for some of the masks. This process is being co-ordinated by the Staffordshire Local Resilience Forum.

Tony McGovern, managing director of Cannock Chase Council, said: “At a time when there are supply issues with some personal protective equipment due to high demand, this is an extremely generous donation by Super Smart Service and will directly help to support staff across the public sector who are dealing with very challenging circumstances. The masks are ideal for use in the community and some are suitable for NHS clinical settings.”

Charles Lu, general manager of Super Smart Service said: “On Monday government announced that warehouse staff and logistics professionals need to continue to go about their business to keep supply chains moving.

“Super Smart Service provides the transit service for household essentials and medical supplies so we have a key role to play. As we know, China battled against this virus and has overcome it. The UK is now facing similar challenges and we wanted to show solidarity in the fight against COVID-19.

“The company and our long-term business partner Zongteng Group made this joint donation and wanted to help out local public sector organisations to support their magnificent efforts to support vulnerable people and keep essential services going.”

Diane Tilley, chief executive of Lichfield District Council said: “This is a magnificent gesture by a local company in these challenging times and we are already putting the masks to good use in the community where they are most needed to deliver our key services right now.”

Super Smart Service provides fulfilment services for the likes of Amazon, Ebay and Royal Mail; as well as customs agency, air and sea freight services.