Quilts bring comfort to sick children

Home care children's nurse Melissa Houltham (left), Wanganui Hospital clinical nurse manager for paediatrics Janene Louwrens, and Rosemary Christison. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 270813WCSMQUILTS1

Quilts given to 40 Wanganui children yesterday may be the first special item they have to call their own.

The Riverside Quilters Club took six weeks to craft the quilts for ill children. Yesterday, Wanganui Hospital clinical nurse manager for paediatrics Janene Louwrens and home care children's nurse Melissa Houltham paid a visit to the quilters at their regular session.

"It is an amazing contribution and we certainly appreciate the quilts," Mrs Louwrens said.

Ms Houltham goes into homes to visit children who have complex health needs. Each of the quilts has a personal label, "Made with love by the Riverside Quilters Club" and the backing is a warm fleece fabric.

Riverside Quilter Rosemary Christison said they read a story where a woman collected pyjamas for the Children's Ward, and thinking it was a good idea. "we went for it". The quilts will be given to children in need to take home.

"The quilts will last a very long time," Mrs Christison said.

Other than school holidays, the quilters have met for 10 years on a Tuesday in the Central Baptist Church hall.