By Ian Williams
A teddy bear frenzy has broken out in Port Augusta as a volunteer army of knitters and crocheters respond to a crafty idea for aiding children in hospital.
A medical emergency can be an unnerving experience for anyone, particularly the young.
Now mums Chelle Hooper and Karen Packard have mobilised the city’s knitters to mass produce brave bears – cuddly toys to provide extra comfort for children during hospital stays.
Within days of Augusta Brave Bears being launched on Facebook in March, 33 volunteers had enlisted to knit and crochet the teddies.
“Both Chelle and I have kids who experienced the trauma of going to hospital so we thought if we could give children a toy to cuddle it would help calm them,” says Karen.
“Initially we thought it might just be the two of us but in no time the whole thing snowballed. It’s unbelievable how fast it’s all happened.”
Karen Packard and Chelle Hooper – Photo Kara Johnson Transcontinental
Karen also used her contacts as a volunteer at Beehive Crafts in Port Augusta to recruit people and provided an easy pattern for everyone to follow.
“Our volunteers don’t have to be skilled knitters and support is provided for those who don’t have the confidence to sew them together or make the faces,” Karen says.
“We’ve even got three ladies who are travelling around Australia and knitting teddies while their husbands drive.”
Since Augusta Brave Bears was launched about 50 bears have been knitted or crocheted.
Each teddy is given a name and the children get to take them home after their hospital stay.
The The next priority is to do some fundraising to help pay for the materials.
US ventriloquist David Strassman and his dummy partner Ted E. Bare have been recruited to help out. Karen approached David while he was in Port Augusta as part of his Australian iTedE tour.
“While we’ve had some materials donated we need to do some fundraising for more supplies to keep us going,” Karen adds. “David Strassman was in town and he didn’t hesitate to help by signing a bear so that it can be raffled.”
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