Designer Behind Those Extravagant Costumes On 'The Masked Singer' Is Now Helping Make PPE For Healthcare Workers

The costume designer behind the disguises on "The Masked Singer" has turned his talents to making personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS workers on the front line.

Tim Simpson nearly died from pneumonia in his 20s, so he knows the havoc diseases respiratory can reap on people's lungs.

So when lockdown was imposed, he took his 3D printer home from work and set about making face shields for healthcare workers, alongside volunteers from all over the country.

Now he is part of a network of 8,000 people across the UK making and distributing PPE equipment.

A costume design for The Masked Singer (Tim Simpson/Plunge Creations/PA)PA Media - Tim Simpson/Plunge Creations

He runs production company Plunge Creations and designed all the masks for the hugely popular "The Masked Singer" UK, which was won by former Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts.

“It has been amazing. I have never been involved in anything like this," Simpson said.

“There's this sort of network of people who have never met face to face who are all working frantically to try and fulfill this need around the country."

Tim Simpson working on a costume design (Tim Simpson/Plunge Creations/PA)PA Media - Tim Simpson/Plunge Creations

So far the organization has supplied 100,000 face shields to over 160 NHS trusts.

Simpson says there remains a huge demand, with orders placed for 600,000 masks in total.

“There are people working in hospitals who are being told that PPE is coming and yet they are coming to us because they are scared," he added.

“We have frontline workers who are just unbelievably grateful."

A face shield made by Tim Simpson (3DCrowd UK/PA)PA Media - 3DCrowd UK

Simpson spoke about how he spent days in hospital in Newcastle due to his bout of pneumonia, and how the thought of going through a respiratory disease again scares him.

“It's a disease that gives me the willies because I know that I might not fair too well if it does get me," he said.

“I have just got to keep going, making sure other people are going to be alright."

To donate to 3DCrowd UK, visit https://uk.gofundme.com/f/3dcrowd-emergency-3d-pri...