The Mercy Place social knitting group have donated 20 handmade trauma teddies to the Warrnambool ambulance station to be given to young patients.
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Paramedic Jo O’Connor-Ward is grateful to the elderly residents who have spent the winter months producing the teddies.
Trauma teddies are given to children aged up to six years old to help comfort them when they are transported by the ambulance.
“We can demonstrate what procedure is being planned on the bear, before doing it on the child,” she said.
“The beauty is the children can keep the teddy with them from the ambulance, through the hospital, and then take it home.”
The knitting activity was part of the residents physiotherapy program, helping to maintain their dexterity and fine motor skills.
While not every member of the group comes in to knit, all of the residents are welcome to come in for a cup of tea.
“Everyone loves to have a chat,” said physiotherapist Cheree McKean. “It is good for everyone's physical and mental well being.
“We try to find activities that engage the residents in the community.”
The knitting group is now starting to manufacture infant beanies that will also be donated to the ambulance service, and are looking for more projects to work on in the future.
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