A Resident at HC-One’s Sabourn Court care home in Leeds put her knitting skills to the test as she created trauma teddies to donate to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s (WYFRS) Trauma Teddies initiative.
The Trauma Teddies scheme involves firefighters giving soft toys to children to offer them some comfort after experiencing frightening incidents, such as a fire or a car accident.
Colleagues at Sabourn Court had mentioned the initiative to Resident Cecile, who is a keen knitter and was enthusiastic about getting involved and donating some teddies to the cause.
Over a period of five weeks, Cecile knitted ten teddies, each with a different design and outfit.
Cecile was delighted to visit Killingbeck Fire Station to personally deliver the handmade teddies. On her visit, Cecile met one of the firefighters working at the station, as she was shown around the different fire engines and heard about the history of trauma teddies at WYFRS.
Cecile commented: “The trauma teddies are such a lovely idea. It was great to see them being used and where they would be going.”
Lisa Lyndley-Jones, Home Manager at Sabourn Court, said: “At HC-One, we are committed to supporting our local community and contributing to the trauma teddies scheme was a lovely way to make a difference.
“Cecile is such a talented knitter and was delighted to put her talents to good use. We hope the trauma teddies can help benefit the wellbeing of children as they recover from incidents supported by the fire service.”