Buxton boy launches business selling Covid bandanas made from recycled plastic

Charlie Wright, 11, came up with the idea in August in preparation for wearing mandatory face coverings on the school bus.

The eco-minded youngster opted for the reconditioned garments after reading about the number of disposable face masks found in the world’s oceans.

So far Charlie, with help from sister Hattie, 9, and brother Woody, 6, has sold hundreds of the stylish coverings - with their most famous customer being JLS’ JB Gill.

After receiving a selection of the masks through the post the presenter thanked the delighted trio on Instagram - writing: “We’ve almost got a full @jlsofficial set here!”

All profits from the business are being donated to The Woodland Trust as a thanks from the family - who have spent ‘hours’ walking among trees during lockdown.

Mum Helen Wright, 44, told how the entrepreneurial youngsters were motivated to sell the masks after realising their importance during the pandemic.

She said: “It’s been going really well - the kids are loving it and it’s been a great learning tool for them.

“They help set up our website and email and when we launched it they were selling them from our doorstep using a card reader.

“When they got the shout out from JB Gill they were so excited and after that a lot of their friends bought them.”

The multi-purpose masks - printed with a School Bandanas logo - come in dozens of vibrant colours named by the children - including hot pink, rocking rainbow, juicy orange and midnight black.

Proud mum Helen, 44, said: “They’re really versatile and fun - I wear one to keep my hair back - but others use them for jogging or walking the dog.

“They’re so much more comfortable than masks with strings and so easy to put on - you just pull them up or down with no fiddling and they’re quite useful during the cold weather.”

School Bandanas cost £6 and are available by visiting the children’s website HERE.

To follow School Bandanas on Instagram click HERE.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.