SUSAN REYNOLDS on TRAUMA TEDDIES

 Rotary Clubs looking for a new easy and fun project that will impact on the individuals and the community should look at the Red Cross Trauma Teddy project. Community members in the southern NSW town of Griffith did just that and form a Knitting Group. The Group have now provided over 1,400 Trauma Teddies to children suffering from trauma or difficulties. The impact has been felt by the community and by individual children who have been comforted by their gift. Susan Reynolds will talk about the project and how it evolved, how Griffith became involved, Rotary's support and the impact the Trauma Teddy is having on children.



GRIFFITH TRAUMA TEDDY KNITTER'S GROUP

Trauma Teddy began in 1990 when NSW Ambulance Superintendent Richard Hamilton noticed the calming effect giving a child a teddy to hold had on children receiving treatment. The first official Red Cross Trauma Teddy was given out in the following year.  Since then over 1 million Teddies have been given out to children suffering from trauma. More then 600 volunteers around Australia have been knitting these Teddies.

The Griffith Trauma Teddy Knitter's Group was created in 2022. Patrizia Zandona had been suffering from  cancer and undergone four rounds of chemo and 30 sessions of radiation, and her hair had fallen out. Tired of knitting beanies and scarves her friend Sue Reynolds challenged her to try something more involved. Patrizia researched Trauma Teddies, the Red Cross, knitting patterns and the requirements/standards for a few bears. Her mother-in-law contacted the Red Cross and received approval to be the coordinator for the Griffith area.

Patrizia reached out to a few friends and in October 2022 the Griffith Trauma Teddy Knitter's Group was formed. It now has 30 members who volunteer their time to create comforting bears for children experiencing trauma or difficulty. Together they have donated over 1,400 bears to local health services, including ambulance stations, hospital emergency departments, police stations, Women's Refugees, Ronald McDonald House, Country Hope Griffith, doctor's surgeries, and more recently the Flying Doctors Service in Longreach, Queensland.

SUSAN REYNOLDS

Susan Reynolds has worked for the Western Riverina Community College for 27 years. She has fulfilled different roles, including training, assessing and project management. She is currently the Vocational Education Training Manager at the College.

She joined Griffith Avanti Rotary Club about 12 years ago and has been secretary, President-elect and President. She is currently in the Service Project role and looking after the Rotary Facebook page.

Susan joined the Griffith Trauma Teddy Knitters Group when it began, although she admits she does more crocheting than knitting. She believes the Teddies bring comfort to children during tough times.

CONTACT:         Susan Reynolds         0428 681205             susan.reynolds47@gmail.com











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