© Footfalls & Heartbeats.

Smart textiles entrepreneur Simon McMaster, founder and director of Nottingham based Footfalls & Heartbeats has vowed to stand up for humanity and help the UK’s logistical, distribution and support staff who one level away from the frontline in the COVID-19 crisis.

“We cannot change the world at present, but we can help, and we will. We will help with all the collective spirit that our team can muster, and we will support the heroes of this time, our NHS,” Mr McMaster said in a statement published online today.

“Serendipity played a significant role in Footfalls and Heartbeats locating in Nottingham. The care of elderly parents and a chance meeting with a very cool professor from The University of Nottingham means that Footfalls now calls Nottingham home.”

“And what a home. The production method for weft knitting was changed forever by William Lee and the stocking frame. The history of textile production is knitted into the fabric of almost every building in central Nottingham, from The Lace Market to the Victorian mills that produced hosiery by the train load. Footfalls now considers itself a part of that tradition. We knit and develop textile sensors to advance the future of healthcare on a state-of-the-art Santoni X machine.”

In these incredibly uncertain times Footfalls wants to assist in any way possible. So, from next Monday it will start an initiative that will provide support to those who assist the UK’s courageous, determined and caring NHS staff.

“These are the logistical, distribution and support staff who work one level away from the frontline. They stack the shelves and care for us while we shop, deliver vital supplies to warehouse and distribution centres, deliver your food to allow us all to stay safe at home and even care and clothe the less fortunate to make them safe as well. Healthcare is a societal need, especially in such uncertain times as now,” Mr McMaster explained.

“On Monday our Santoni X knitting machine will start to produce masks for these support staff and we will ask for your help to make it happen.”

“Footfalls is a company with values that come from my country of birth, New Zealand. We have an egalitarian view of the world where we are all the same and all here to help in any way possible.”

“As of Monday, Footfalls will stand up for humanity, square its shoulders, straighten its spine and look the current healthcare crisis square in the eye. It will challenge adversity with calm, focus and determination and above all it will live up to its motto: be bold, be brave, have fun and change the world.”

“We cannot change the world at present, but we can help, and we will. We will help with all the collective spirit that our team can muster, and we will support the heroes of this time, our NHS,” Simon ended.

www.footfallsandheartbeats.com