Knitters donate Trauma Teddies

Country Women’s Association Stawell branch members have been busy knitting for a good cause.

Members have made Trauma Teddies for the region’s Ambulance service.

Tens of thousands of Trauma Teddies are given out across Australia each year to help reduce the suffering of people – mostly children – affected by fire, flood or other disasters.

The Trauma Teddy was created in 1990 when Richard Hamilton, then superintendent of Campbelltown ambulance service in New South Wales, saw a teddy bear given to a child being treated by another ambulance service.

He was impressed by the calming effect the bear had on the child, so, through his mother Vera Hamilton, he asked Red Cross to help provide more bears for children treated by paramedics.

When Stawell CWA member Mary Frencham heard about the project she immediately sprung into action, knitting Trauma Teddies for needy children in the region.

While knitters come from throughout the community, every Trauma Teddy must pass a strict quality inspection from Red Cross Trauma Teddy coordinators before distribution.

People can contact a Stawell CWA member for more information. The branch welcomes new members.

Meetings are on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in the gallery room of the Old Shire Offices on the Western Highway.

Craft nights are the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm at Stawell Information Centre in Seaby Street.

People can search CWA Stawell branch on Facebook or email cwastawell@gmail.com for more information.