Generous craftmakers across East Gippsland have been hard at work over recent years, threading needles and clicking hooks to support the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne.
Led by the Bairnsdale RSL Ladies Auxiliary, local knitters and crocheters recently packed a full busload of handcrafted garments and soft goods that were delivered directly to the hospital in Melbourne last month.
Upon arrival, the items were distributed among various hospital auxiliaries to be sold at fundraising stalls.
Proceeds go directly toward funding medical equipment and patient care programs, with one metropolitan stall already raising $980 from the Bairnsdale donation alone.
The consignment also included a special passenger: a large, donated Winnie the Pooh soft toy that made the journey alongside the woollens.
At the auxiliary’s request, the beloved bear was given a permanent home on the hospital’s Banksia Ward, an inpatient unit dedicated to adolescent mental health for children aged eight to 18, where he is already bringing comfort and smiles to young patients.
The Bairnsdale RSL Ladies Auxiliary is continuing its community drive and welcomes ongoing contributions from local residents.
Donations of wool, fabric, crafting patterns, or completed homemade garments can be dropped off directly at the Bairnsdale RSL Club premises, or arranged by phoning the club.
