Falkirk fabrics shop boss making free masks for members of public

Fabric Corner boss Lorraine Fleming has created more than 400 such items for free in the past week after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced new Covid-19 safety guidance recommending the Scottish public wear masks in enclosed spaces.

Demand for Lorraine’s masks continues to rise, to the extent the Rumford resident has set up a collection point at her home and begun sending her products by post, while asking for donations to be made to the NHS in exchange for the goods.

So many letters and donations have been posted to her home that Lorraine hasn’t yet had time to tot up how much her creations have raised for the health service.

After the coronavirus lockdown was confirmed, she originally began making scrubs for frontline nursing staff using various materials she’s collected over many years.

Lorraine has now turned her attention to face masks, which feature different designs, and is taking orders via her Cow Wynd shop’s Facebook page.

“It’s really good to feel needed and worthwhile,” she said.

“I’ve had customers contact me whose family member has cancer and they’re needing face masks to visit and stay safe.

“I’ve got a lot of fabric stashed. Because of the current crisis, there’s no such thing as a good fabric — you’ve got to use it.

“I made 220 masks for one woman and I’ve made, maybe, another 200 face masks added to that.

“Because the shop is shut and I’m not working just now I need to keep busy.

“I’ve done scrubs and I turned to face masks because I think everybody is doing scrubs just now. I’m going to do it until I run out of fabric and that’s a while away yet!”

Falkirk FC fan Lorraine is also planning to embroider face masks featuring the club’s badge and donate the items to the Bairns.

For more details, visit the Fabric Corner Facebook page.