HOSPITAL can be a scary place for many, but for six-year-old Ella, nerves turned to joy recently thanks to the generosity of one local crafter.
No stranger to respiratory issues during weather changes, Chantelle Fitzgerald noticed that Ella was struggling to take in breaths and took her to the Emergency Department at Port Macquarie Base Hospital for the very first time.
Making the quick dash meant there was no time to take a toy for comfort.
That didn’t matter, however, as there was one already there – just for her.
“While waiting to be triaged, a nurse brought a bag of knitted toys over and told Ella she could pick one”, Chantelle told News Of The Area.
“Ella spotted the orange and white teddy on top and grabbed it.
“The nurse said she could look through all of them, but Ella was adamant she wanted her first pick.”
When thanking the nurse for the bear, they told Chantelle that the hospital was very lucky to have wonderful volunteers who knit these for patients.
The volunteer who made Ella’s bear is 70-year-old Bellevue Gardens Retirement Village resident Ingrid Kennewell.
Crocheting for six years, and donating bunnies and bears to the ED for three years, Ingrid has magic in her hands and kindness in her heart.
As the youngest member of the village, she is responsible for looking after the craft group and while some of the ladies “just do their own thing”, the group has always looked to make an impact.
“We started crocheting and knitting squares for Wrap with Love, who turn them into blankets to send all over the world”, Ingrid told NOTA.
A self-taught crocheter, she started her journey with dolls and tablecloths.
With a little encouragement from her husband during COVID-19, she started perfecting the art of soft toys.
By reading patterns and with consistent practice, Ingrid made hundreds, turning many frowns upside down.
“The motivation for doing this is the enjoyment of knowing where they are going”, she said.
A letter written by another little girl’s mum expressing her sincere thanks was shared with Ingrid by the hospital in April and confirmed that all of her hard work and generosity is bringing the joy she hoped.
What Ingrid doesn’t know, however, is that although her bears are created solely to comfort patients like Ella in their moment of uncertainty, the love for them lasts long after they are carried out the hospital doors.
“Ella decided to call her bear Tuesday, named after the day she had to go to hospital,” Chantelle said.
“Tuesday is mostly called Beary and has been taken to school for news; is cuddled each and every night; and is also taken on errands around Port Macquarie.”
While she is now slowing down due to surgery and a torn tendon in her shoulder, Ingrid hopes that other people in the community will step up and continue to create smiles.
“I have been giving the toys to the ED at the Base Hospital for about three years and from what they have told me, I’m the only one.
“I wish they could ask people to help out, it’s such a good thing.”
As for Ella, she is back home and happily going about her days, and Chantelle couldn’t be more grateful.
“I would love to thank Ingrid for the happiness she has given Ella.
“Having to go to hospital is never easy for anyone, but the joy this cuddly little friend brought Ella made her experience a positive one to remember, not negative.”
“So, thank you Ingrid, for the happiness your knitting needles bring so many.”
By Rikki WALLER
