A FORMER nurse and midwife has returned to her roots by collecting clothes to help Ukrainian families.

Steffy Hartmansson, who has run her eponymous vintage clothing and dress agency ‘Steffy’s Boutique’ for five-and-a-half years in the Eastgate, first heard about the Scot Baby Box appeal from some of her clients.

She has already sent clothes as part of a consignment which went to Ukraine earlier this month and a further one is due to go in October.

Steffy, who lives in Walkerburn with her Icelandic husband, said: “I found out about the Ukrainian Baby Box [appeal] from some clients whose clothes I sell.

“Also some Ukrainians who are living in Peebles brought in baby clothes and other items.

“About a dozen other clients have brought clothes to send and I have three sacks at the moment.

“They go to one of the Polish refugee camps.”

She added: “Everyone who has a baby in Scotland is given a baby box when they leave hospital with essentials that a baby would need for a few weeks, and the box converts to a cot.

“It is an extension of that idea.”

Steffy’s Boutique has grown from a love of vintage clothing instilled by Steffy’s mum and gran, who dragged her around second-hand shops in her youth.

Steffy, who returned to nursing through the emergency register during the COVID-19 pandemic, said: “I have made so many friends from running the boutique and I think it is just how a vintage shop and dress agency should look.

“Peebles is ideal because it is so buzzing and has such heart.

“This autumn I will hit 700 clients from across the UK who sell through the boutique.”