It’s definitely the thought that counts. It gives patients a sense of warmth and comfort when they know the items they receive have been handmade by someone who cares. 

It may be a child in an ambulance who receives a “trauma teddy”, a dementia patient handed a therapeutic ‘fiddle sleeve’ or a cancer patient given a colourful rug or turban. The common thread is that the items are hand-made by someone who cares enough to put in the time and effort just for them — anonymously.

Those ‘someones’ are the ladies from QCWA Nambour and North Coast Division who are meeting regularly throughout 2022 to knit, crochet and sew a range of comforting gifts.

They will be donated to Wishlist Sunshine Coast Health Foundation to distribute to hospitals for individuals and families experiencing a health crisis. 

“It just brings such joy to realize that once you’ve finished with it, somebody’s going to be able to cuddle into it, or be warm or comforted,” said the division’s Knitting and Crochet Convenor Sharon Tilly at Friday’s Wishlist Donation Workshop at Yandina’s CWA Hall. 

“The nurses tell us that people can be in very sad situations but they always smile when they are given something so colourful and handmade. 

“Wishlist and the nurses and ambulance officers tell us what is needed. And we create everything from little toys and trauma teddies for kids who may be in a medical emergency to turbans and knee rugs for cancer patients. They tell us they are very helpful because it helps cheer and distract them from their fear or trauma.”

This will be the Division’s major project for 2022, in the association’s 100th anniversary year. “I would like to thank Patsy, the committee, and all the enthusiastic members for their support,” said Sharon. 

“It’s such a wonderful feeling to be able to use our creative talents to put smiles on people’s faces when they might be in a terrible situation.”

Wishlist Chief Executive Officer Lisa Rowe said the heart-felt gifts were greatly appreciated. “We are extremely grateful to have caring, clever people in our community like the team at QCWA Nambour North Coast Division.

“Each item will be distributed to areas of our Health Service, from paediatric to palliative care, in line with how Wishlist directs financial donations to support local health services.

“Without volunteers in our hospitals in recent months we had no way of distributing trauma teddies, fiddle sleeves and cushions, and quilts across our hospitals. 

“But our Wishlist volunteers have come to the rescue and we’ve just cleared a backlog, so we’re in need of the next delivery.”

If you’d like to pitch in contact Sharon at  Nambournorthcoastdivision@qcwa.org.au.

Wishlist volunteers needed

Wishlist Chief Executive Officer Lisa Rowe said her organisation was in urgent need of volunteers in Wishlist Coffee Houses at Nambour and Gympie Hospitals, as well as at accommodation centres at Nambour and Birtinya and the new Wishlist Centre about to open in July. 

“We also need volunteers in our office and for colouring kit packing and teddy bear safety checks,” she said.

To become a Wishlist volunteer go to wishlist.org.au/get-involved/volunteer/