Former Sheffield United owner flies in masks for the NHS

Saying that he was frustrated to hear that some NHS workers are struggling to get the PPE they need, Mr McCabe used his business links to purchase the masks, which will be delivered from Hong Kong.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr McCabe said: “This is an unprecedented time for us all and it needs those of us who've got the reach to help everybody.”

He said that the masks he has arranged to be delivered will be distributed in areas where he has personal and professional connections.

This is believed to include Sheffield, Leeds, York, Scarborough, Malton and Manchester.

It is expected that the masks will start to be used within the next few days, and Mr McCabe added "if there's cause to help more then we'll certainly do so".

The government has said that it is working hard with international suppliers to provide enough PPE for NHS staff, however many front line workers have complained about shortages and instructions to reuse equipment that should only be used once.

Today the Sheffield City Trust donated 7,000 pieces of PPE and nine defibrillators to help alleviate the shortage.

Last year, Mr McCabe was forced to sell his share of Sheffield United to Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, following a two-year legal battle over the club’s ownership.