Tweed senior Bev Hogg from Tall Trees Ocean View at Banora Point has single-handedly knitted over a thousand trauma teddies to donate to charity.
Ms Hogg is part of a neighbourhood group made up of 12 Ocean View residents and two ladies from the wider community who are prolific knitters of clothing, rugs and toys to donate to less fortunate children worldwide.
The group of ladies meets every week and tirelessly offers their time and skills for those in need by knitting and crocheting garments for babies and children.
Tall Trees Ocean View community networker Shirley Pickering says the items they contribute to Brisbane-based charity The Dorcas Group are sent all over the world as well as within Australia.
“Items are sent to orphanages and missions in Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, outback Australia as well as to flood victims in Queensland,” Ms Pickering says.
“In their work with the Dorcas Group, our ladies have helped to produce 600kg of rugs that have been sent to China and four hundred dresses and tops to children in the Philippines.
“Tall Trees Ocean View residents love being involved, as it gives them a great sense of contribution while letting them participate in a wider network of people who give tirelessly to assist those less fortunate.
“We believe very strongly in supporting the local and broader community, and our ladies’ work with the Dorcas Group embodies that perfectly.”
Star-knitter Ms Hogg says she places great value on the work her and her group has carried out.
“Knitting has always been a favourite pastime of mine, but to be able to use my handiwork to help out those in need makes it an even more worthwhile activity for me,” Ms Hogg says.
“I’m very proud of what we have achieved in our work with the Dorcas Group—their focus and logistical capabilities have really helped us to do some great things with what is essentially a hobby for all of us.”
Ms Pickering says that knitted beanies, toys, dolls, teddy bears, ponchos, children’s clothes, quilts and rugs are sent overseas to children enduring hardship.
“Our ladies have contributed a huge amount of clothes and toys for Destiny Rescue Homes in Cambodia, Thailand and Mozambique,” Ms Pickering says.
“These are areas where children as young as six years old are taken from their families and sold into prostitution.
“The children are saved by Destiny Rescue and set up in orphanages—our knitted items assist to clothe them and keep them warm.”
Ms Pickering says the group has also contributed to the Dorcas Group’s Lil’ Angels project over the last couple of years.
“The Lil’ Angels project was created to help meet the needs of mothers in hospital that are experiencing loss of their babies or general hardship,” Ms Pickering says.
“Our group of ladies has knitted four thousand items including plain gowns and dresses for stillborns and miscarried babies, as well as bootees and hats.
“The dresses are made to assist with the grieving process for mothers, and these garments have been distributed to major hospitals in the Brisbane area.
“Pamper packs are also given out by social workers at each hospital for those mothers who have lost their baby or a single mum who is struggling.”
The Dorcas Group operates under the Worship Centre Women’s Ministry based in Brisbane, and is supported by the Brisbane City Council.
