At some point in life, most people will unfortunately have to call upon the ambulance service.
Whether for themselves or a loved one, it’s often during a time of high stress.
A kind-hearted woman who knits handmade dolls is one of many locals whose small gestures are helping make a big difference, especially for children.
The dolls, lovingly knitted by Carol Funnell, are now carried in Beaudesert ambulances and handed out to children who might be in distress, pain, or just need a little distraction.
Carol’s dolls come in addition to the contributions of the Beaudesert CWA and others who also knit teddies and bravery bees for children requiring the ambulance and hospital.
“At the last Beaudesert National Serviceman’s Breakfast, a lady called Carol Funnell came to me with a bag of dollies that she knits herself,” said Beaudesert RSL Sub Branch Senior Vice President John Leatherbarrow.
“She makes all these dolls up and they’re for the kids when they’re playing up or they’re in pain or whatever, the guys in the ambulances can give them a dolly.”
Mr Leatherbarrow, who is also a member of the Beaudesert Local Ambulance Committee, delivered the dolls to the local station through Officer in Charge Mick Mahoney.
“Carol says she makes forty a week, which is a pretty fair effort,” Mr Leatherbarrow said. “She also knits them for kids in the hospital and whenever the Beaudesert ambulance officers need more, they can just give me a yell and Carol will get me some more.”
Mr Mahoney said the dolls have proven to be a valuable tool in helping children cope during ambulance rides.
“We all carry iPads in the ambulances, but not all kids respond to screens,” he said.
“Anything you can give them to take their mind off whatever’s going on helps.”
He added that sometimes it’s not even the patient who needs comforting.
“We could have mum or dad and they’re not well, and we’ve got to bring their child with us,” he said.
“Even if the child doesn’t want to hold it, just having something like the doll for the parent to hold can help.”
