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By Ewan Gawne - Local Democracy Reporter

A local dive club, which is collecting snorkel masks to help Covid-19 patients at Noble’s Hospital, has discovered it won’t be eligible for government support.

 

Discover Diving received praise from government over the Easter weekend, but was told yesterday  it isn’t entitled to any of the emergency support schemes.

 

Dr Michelle Haywood, who’s one of the directors, says the company hasn’t been told why it’s ineligible for the £3,000 business grant.

 

She says like many small businesses, the dive centre is simply trying to survive through the pandemic, and offer help where possible.

 

It was also turned down for accommodation benefits, as it’s hostel facilities didn’t meet the required ‘three star rating’.

 

In recent weeks, snorkel masks gathered by the Port St Mary based company were adapted for use at Noble’s Hospital to deliver oxygen to patients.

 

A number of Manx engineering firms helped design an adaptor to ensure the makeshift headgear worked to the required standard.

 

Last week, Discover Diving issued a further appeal for snorkel masks of all sizes, which it will ‘adapt and clean’ before delivering them to the hospital.

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