Their arms loaded with some of the blankets made for West Gippsland Hospital patients, Warragul Primary School students were welcomed at their presentation by staff of the haemodialysis unit. They are (from left) student Nina, unit nurse manager Suzanne Griffiths, students Mieke and Roza, registered nursing student Kirsten Tucker and haemodialysis nurse Vicki Bull.
Visits to hospital for treatments and for those in longer term aged care at West Gippsland Hospital will be more comfortable thanks to the efforts of Warragul Primary School students.
Student representatives arrived at the hospital carrying armfuls of crocheted blankets they'd made to be used by haemodialysis patients and residents at Cooinda Lodge Aged Care.
Teacher Michelle Birthisel said the project stemmed from the students' keen interest in giving back to the community.
Students across all year levels worked exceptionally hard to learn how to crochet a "granny square" and overcome many challenges, not the least untangling many balls of wool to make the blankets.
They then taught the skills to many of their peers, with 46 students taking part in the project.
Haemodialysis nurse unit manager Suzanne Griffiths said many patients had to attend the hospital every second day and it was small comforts like the hand-made blankets that uplifted the time they spent there.
It was also lovely that students visited the hospital to deliver their creations, she said.
