A BUSINESS owner in Kidderminster who reopened his sportswear factory to make scrubs for the NHS has been nominated as our first lockdown hero.

After launching the search for the district's pandemic superstars last month, Wyre Forest Rotary has nominated its own lockdown hero to get the ball rolling - MG Sportswear boss Gino Ruffinato.

During the nationwide scrubs shortage in April, Gino set about raising cash to fund the materials needed to produce the uniforms at his factory in Kidderminster.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Gino and MG business manager Kim CalderGino and MG business manager Kim Calder

MG, which usually manufactures uniforms for schools, sports teams and airlines, was forced to halt production and furlough staff due to the Covid-19 crisis.

After raising thousands of pounds, including a substantial donation from from Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, Gino and his team were able to make around 4,000 pairs of scrubs for workers on the frontline.

Bewdley Rotary club president Graham Bullock said: “Gino has supported the Rotary in various ways over the years and earlier this year he told us he wanted to start making scrubs for the frontline workers, and we provided some money towards that. He’s just a fantastic bloke and the way he works is a credit to our community.

“He went above and beyond and worked extremely long hours during the pandemic putting lots of effort in, and it’s for those reasons that he is a lockdown hero.”

Responding to the nomination, Gino said: "It’s wonderful that the Rotary club put my name forward at all. I'm very honoured. I'm just the figurehead for MG Sportswear - everyone involved is as much a part of this - all my staff who were furloughed but came back and worked for nothing and all the people that donated money for the fabric."

Alongside Wyre Forest Rotary groups, The Shuttle is searching for the heroic individuals, community groups, charities and businesses that have kept people safe and well throughout the lockdowns.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Wyre Forest Rotary Clubs and The Shuttle are looking for Wyre Forest's lockdown heroes. Photo from Getty ImagesWyre Forest Rotary Clubs and The Shuttle are looking for Wyre Forest's lockdown heroes. Photo from Getty Images

We want to give praise to the selfless members of our community who have helped to keep others going throughout this difficult year.

We’ll be publishing your nominations in the paper each week and Wyre Forest Rotary will award certificates to those who have gone that extra mile to help their community.

To nominate a lockdown hero, readers need only fill out our online nomination form below before Sunday, January 31, telling us why that person or business is deserving of some recognition.