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Crafting all heart at Mercy Village

Lending her artistry to the cause, much-lauded textile artist and Village resident Marjorie Coleman stitches embroidery onto bears that are donated to King Edward Memorial Hospital’s (KEMH) Memory Boxes for parents experiencing the loss of their baby.

Betty makes the smaller wraps for new mothers at KEMH.

Pat knits tiny cardigans to keep pre-term babies warm in their humidicribs.

Noreen considers herself the finishing school of the group, sewing rug squares together before they are packaged together for Wheelchair for Kids, while June crochets a rug a month for the cause.

Since 1998, 48,423 wheelchairs have been distributed to 91 locations around the world by Wheelchair for Kids, organised by Rotary Scarborough. Every wheelchair goes with a teddy, two knitted blankets, a ball and a toolkit.

“We have to give each of teddy bears a hug before we sent them because they might misbehave,” Noreen jokes.

This month the group held a donated and recycled gifts stall for fellow Mercy Village residents and the local community, raising $1200 for Wheelchair for Kids.

Made up of about a dozen members, the craft club is going strong after 16 years. While crafting is the main game, it’s also a great excuse to socialise, laugh and be around great company.

PICTURED (Left-Right) Noreen Willett, Betty Blaikie , Jenna Powell, Joan Gangemi, Elaine Whittick, Marjorie Coleman, Margaret Hollett and Bernice Tonkin.