A Kirkcaldy wedding designer who led the national effort to make scrubs for NHS workers has been shortlisted for a prestigious award

Mirka Jankowska and her team of volunteers from across Scotland made over 15,000 sets of scrubs for NHS workers across the country as the coronavirus crisis took hold.

Mirka normally used her materials to design bespoke bridal gowns, but last year she instead made sure that nurses, doctors and other frontline health staff had the sanitary clothing they needed during the first few months of the pandemic.

Her shop, based in the town’s commercial street, became a hub to support the national effort which involved 400 volunteers across Scotland who volunteered their skills in order to make the much-needed medical scrubs for the NHS.

The group was known as NHS Scotland For The Love of Scrubs, which, at one stage, had over 9000 requests for scrubs from hospitals and from other healthcare sector staff.

Now Mirka is being recognised for her efforts after being shortlisted for the Glasgow Times Scotswoman of the Year 2020 accolade, along with her daughter Maja, Clare Boyle and Holly Baxter-Weir.

There are six contenders for the award, which has been celebrating female achievement since 1963, and a virtual awards ceremony is due to take place on April 29.

Mirka, who is originally from Poland, said the nomination came as a surprise to her and her daughter, but that it is an achievement they are both very proud of.

Speaking about being selected as a finalist for the award, Mirka, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be nominated for such a prestigious award, especially as an immigrant living in the UK.

"I have worked really hard to integrate myself into the community here and I’m very thankful to be recognised for the work we did with ‘For The Love of Scrubs – Scotland’.

"I am also very thankful to be recognised among all the other fantastic individuals who have been nominated for this award.”

She added: “I was really pleased to be able to make a difference with For The Love of Scrubs and help others who were experiencing hardship.”

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