Stitches from the heart: Local QCWA ladies keep on knitting, 5433 items later

QCWA Nambour North Coast Division President Wendy Beddington, Wishlist Partnerships & Fundraising Lead Jasmin Wheatley, Wishlist Craft Coordinator Kerri Cavanagh,  & Vice President for Nambour North Coast Division Sharon Tilly with some of the latest of more than 4000 items that have been donated.

The ladies from Nambour and North Coast Division QCWA have knitted, crocheted and sewed a range of comforting gifts to help ease the pain and anxiety of patients at local hospitals. 

On Thursday February 8 the ladies handed over their annual donation of toys. Coordinator Sharon Tilly was pleased to announce the collective total, the result of years of work, now sat at 5433. Wishlist accepts the items and distributes them across Caloundra, Maleny, Nambour, Sunshine Coast University and Gympie hospitals.  

Wishlist Craft Coordinator Kerri Cavanagh said the toys and items were appreciated by a wide range of patients and supporters.  

“They are a great distraction for people – including the older palliative care patients as well.  Patients might come with dementia and they're very distressed,” Kerri said. “The toys will actually calm them in a lot of cases. Sometimes we just use them to brighten up the room, so there are toys around just to distract from the stress. They're also gifted to people that have come in to support a patient as well. They're wonderful. Nothing is ever too small. There's always a need.”

• The Nambour North Coast Division CWA will have a full day Wishlist Workshop in the Yandina hall on Tuesday March 19 from 9am-4pm making chemo turbans for cancer patients and burping bibs for maternity ward.