ABQ’s yellow hazmat suits are heading to the front lines.
Immersive cocktail experience, ABQ London, is known for kitting out its punters in bright yellow hazmat suits before “cooking” up cocktails. But, during these uncertain times, they’re not sure when these costumes will be needed again.
With that in mind, Lollipop, the team behind ABQ and other immersive experiences, decided to donate 150 of their hazmat suits to local hospitals who are in desperate need of PPE. Due to the government’s slow supply chain, many doctors and nurses are literally wearing bin bags in order to protect themselves.
Lollipop’s founder was totally shocked by this, and started a conversation with the NHS, which ultimately led to the same UK factory that designed ABQ’s hazmat suits making more. A small sample of surgical-spec, reusable hazmat suits was made and passed all the tests, so now two hospitals—Whipps Cross and Lister—have commissioned them to make a total of 10,000. (They specifically requested the same fetching yellow as the ones used at ABQ, because they loved the original ones so much!) Meanwhile, orders from other hospitals are flooding in.
To help fund the production of these suits, Lollipop have launched the “Hazmats for NHS” campaign. A reusable hazmat suit costs £21 and is far better, both financially and environmentally, than the more common, disposable ones.
John Peters, a Clinical Director at Whipps Cross Hospital says: “Disposable gowns often from overseas have been in short supply and although the supply chains are now better, innovative UK businesses have developed reusable washable alternatives. Our Anaesthetic and Critical Care teams have worked with ABQ London (Lollipop) to develop a prototype, washable but water repellent gown to protect our staff as well as provide a renewable resource.”
You can donate to the cause here, and help to get these suits made cheaper, safer and faster than getting them from abroad.