Members of Umina Beach branch of the Country Women’s Association have made trauma teddy bears to the Pt Clare ambulance station to offer children comfort while being treated.
Craft officer Ms Jenny Dos Santos said the club had a craft day once a month where members gathered and helped create different items for the community.
“One of our members, Wendy Goswell, brought the teddies into the club, which gave us a great idea,” Ms Dos Santos said.
Ms Goswell and Ms Dos Santos both donated most of the material for the craft day where the members gathered and helped to stuff, stitch, and attach the ribbons.
“We had a lot of women come along and help which was great,” Ms Dos Santos said.
“We always have good afternoons, sitting around together, chatting and laughing.”
The women completed most of the crafting on the day but took some home to finish, with a total of 42 teddies created over two weeks.
Umina Beach CWA donated them to Point Clare Ambulance Station where the paramedics often give the teddies to children, and sometimes to the older women, while they are being taken to hospital.
Ms Dos Santos said creating the teddies was an ongoing activity with some women still knitting and crocheting stuffed toys, which will soon be ready to donate.
“They are soft and huggable, which helps provide comfort and something to hold on to when being taken to hospital,” Ms Dos Santos said.
“It cheers them up, and it cheers us up, as we are able to help those in the community who need support.”
SOURCE:
Media release, 20 Aug 2020
Interview (Hayley McMahon), 21 Aug 2020
Jenny Dos Santos, Umina Beach CWA