Preston dad making special handmade gifts for our Preston and Blackpool NHS heroes

Jason Harrison, a delivery driver, has been making wooden "hero" signs during lock-down and has so far donated them to Briarwood Medical Centre, Royal Preston Hospital's maternity ward, the North West Ambulance Service in Broughton, and both Blackpool and Preston's A&E departments.

The dad-of-three decided to make the signs to show his appreciation to NHS staff, including the Preston midwives who helped to deliver his grandson three weeks ago.

Jason said: "It's very important to support our NHS workers. They're superheroes going into work.

"I know what it's like going into work everyday during the pandemic. We're doing Covid-19 tests and social distancing from other staff in my job but the NHS workers are going through it even worse than us. They're right up against it. They're literally dealing with people who definitely have the virus.

"And at the minute, we're in a situation where people are going into hospital and not coming back out."

Jason took up woodworking as a hobby 12 months ago after reducing his working week from 70 hours as a manager to 40 hours as a driver. He learnt the tricks of the trade by watching tutorial videos and corresponding with an American crafter, and put his new skills into practice by making items for relatives, such as personalised planters. Requests from the public soon came flooding in when he put pictures of the items on Facebook.

He then discovered a Plymouth crafter called Johnathon Whittaker who was making NHS "hero" signs. After contacting Johnathon to praise his work, Jason was given permission to use his design, as long as he didn't charge people.

He said: "I've really enjoyed making the signs and it's been pleasurable handing them out. I don't expect anything for them. I enjoy having the satisfaction of being able to say, 'I've made that.'"

The first sign was given to Briarwood Medical Centre where he is a patient. It is now displayed in the reception window for all to see.

"I showed it to the receptionist and she said, 'That's amazing; I feel really appreciated and so will the rest of the staff,'" said Jason.

"I replied, 'That's enough for me - seeing you happy makes me happy.'"

Jason then dropped one off at Royal Preston Hospital's maternity ward, followed by the North West Ambulance Service in Broughton, which is close to his heart as his daughter is training to be a paramedic.

"It's a good feeling to be honest. The ambulance reception said it's absolutely brilliant and that people would love it. I thanked them for all their work and told them it was appreciated and that the receptionist's face was enough payment for me," he added.

"I then showed one of the paramedics the signs in my car boot and her face lit up. She asked if I'd made them and was gobsmacked. She shouted for the others to come over and they said they were awesome.

"I gave her one and in 10 minutes she sent me a picture of it in their staff room.

"The paramedics also put a message on Facebook to say thanks and that the sign is absolutely beautiful."

The project requires sheer determination and passion, given that it takes two to three hours to make one item. And Jason, who is still working full-time, is certainly committed, having handed out five or six last fortnight.

But the project hasn't been without obstacles.

"I'd like to do more but I can't. Trying to source wood is unbelievable. That's what I'm struggling with. It's hard because of lock-down. My local timber yard is closed so I can only get it from B&Q at the moment, and it's twice as dear there," he said.

"It means a lot to me to be able to do this and I'm using every last bit of scrap wood I've got. I've literally got enough for one more sign, so any donations would be beneficial."

Jason's wife Julie, who he has been with since they were just 13, said: "The signs are brilliant. I'm pleased and proud that he's doing this. It keeps him out of trouble.

"It's nice to hand them out and help make people feel happy. That's a priceless bonus. And it's nice for him to be recognised.

"We can't do a lot to help NHS workers but you try to do what you can to make the situation nicer for them."

Jason is now running a competition on Facebook to win one of his signs - and it's proved to be a hit already.

He said: "Loads of NHS people in Bolton, Manchester and all over the North-West have taken part. I don't know how they have heard about it."

To enter the competition or to arrange a donation, search for Jay's Custom Woodworking on Facebook.