July 11, 2018
Youngsters at Kingaroy Hospital’s emergency department will be able to tell their troubles to a cuddly bear or owl to help take the edge off a visit, thanks to the hard work of the Angel Knitters and Crocheters Group.
On Tuesday, Angel Knitters Christine Box and Marling Dascombe presented emergency department staff at the hospital with a clutch of freshly made Buddy Bears and owls that they can distribute to children to help calm their fears.
The toys were produced with aid of a $500 community grant from the South Burnett Regional Council which helped pay for the cost of materials.
Incredibly, over the past nine months the Angel Knitters have created 188 Buddy Bears and 317 owls thanks to the grant.
They’ve been distributed not only through the Hospital’s emergency department, but also at QML; Sullivan and Nicolaides; the Kingaroy and Nanango ambulance services; the Markwell Street Medical Centre and the Kingaroy Dental Clinic.
Marling said the group had become interested in the project after hearing how beneficial cuddly toys could be to young children in crisis.
She said ambulance staff had told her being able to cuddle a bear or an owl would usually calm a child within minutes, and help make an otherwise stressful situation more bearable.
Nurses at Kingaroy Hospital said they were very glad to receive some new supplies.
The emergency department has been keeping a stock of Buddy Bears and owls on hand to calm frightened children for several years now, but stocks had run low and a fresh top-up was welcome.
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The Angel Knitters and Crocheters Group was formed a decade ago and meets at the Kingaroy Senior Citizens Centre at the corner of Kingaroy and Avoca Streets from 9:00am to noon on the fourth Thursday of each month.
It’s aim is to provide fellowship and friendship for local residents while producing handcrafted items for donations to charities and disadvantaged groups.
In addition to Buddy Bears and owls, the group also produces blankets for South Burnett foster children; blankets, jumpers and beanies for the homeless; clothing for newborn babies; special clothing for adults and children undergoing cancer treatment; items for women and their children staying in women’s shelters; cocoons and coats for the RSPCA; and items for children living in overseas orphanages.
New members are always welcome, and interested people can find out more by phoning Chris on 0400-670-104 or Marling on (07) 4162-7332, or by email
