A Petts Wood teen who helped distribute hundreds of disposable face masks to residents is teaming up with a local coffee shop to donate 10,000 masks to schools.

Millie Anderson, 18, delivered more than 120 boxes of disposable face masks to residents in recent weeks after she became aware that many had struggled to get them.

The kind-hearted teen had been volunteering and running errands in the community since the start of the lockdown, but has now launched Millie’s Petts Wood Pledge to provide even more support.

Her family’s Greenhithe-based business, KeepMe Lifestyle, had already re-deployed its supply chain to supply hand sanitiser and PPE instead of cosmetics – but Millie recognised the company was not geared towards providing small amounts of equipment for local use.

After approaching her father, Kevin, she was able to ensure a smaller quantity of face masks were set aside to donate to local causes and sell to businesses with a demand.

Following the success of the initial appeal via Petts Wood Business Association, Millie said:

“I was delighted with the response and it gave me the idea to set up Millie’s Petts Wood Pledge.

News Shopper:

“We’ve been able to help so many vulnerable local residents and I believe that as the government looks to reopen the area’s primary schools we need to ensure teachers and pupils have access to protective face masks to keep them as safe as possible.

“I pledge to do my part in making that happen.”

KeepMe Lifestyle will support Millie in her endeavours by allocating 50,000 non-medical disposable protective face masks.

Supplied in boxes of 50 units, 40,000 will be made available for sale at £25 per box enabling this worthy cause to then donate the remaining 10,000 to schools.

Cow & Bean coffee shop in Petts Wood will sponsor the initiative by allowing Millie to use their outside space as a ‘collection point’ between 10am to midday every Monday, Thursday and Saturday and will reward purchasers with a free cup of coffee.

Businesses and individuals can be part of Millie’s Petts Wood Pledge by making a donation or purchasing via her dedicated Facebook page www.facebook.com/milliespledge or by placing a request via email to millie@keepme.co.uk.