Volunteer Initiatives Bring Comfort to Vulnerable Children
Crocheted Octopuses Offer Solace in NICUs
Three Western Sydney hospitals are utilizing crocheted octopuses in their neonatal intensive care units (NICU) to provide comfort for premature babies. Bernice Joy Luxford, a dedicated volunteer from Campbelltown, has single-handedly crafted over 700 such octopuses since October 2024.
These comforting octopuses are distributed through hospitality carts operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Greater Western Sydney. The program serves Campbelltown Hospital, Nepean Hospital, and Westmead Children's Hospital, aiming to offer distraction and care to pediatric patient families.
The octopus tentacles help calm babies and reduce the need for nurses to reinsert nasal tubes, as infants tend to grasp the tentacles instead.
Mrs. Luxford shared that the tentacles provide a soothing effect, reducing the need for medical interventions as infants naturally grasp them. She views this work as a meaningful way to contribute despite facing personal health challenges. Mez Nessi, program coordinator for the hospitality carts at RMHC and Mrs. Luxford's sister, corroborated the positive impact of the octopus toys. A caregiver whose son spent 82 days in the NICU expressed profound joy when selecting an octopus for her infant.
Trauma Teddies Initiative: A Legacy of Comfort
Another significant volunteer-based initiative, the Australian Red Cross Trauma Teddies, has been a source of comfort for children experiencing illness, trauma, or distress for over 30 years. Lucinda Nube, who herself received a trauma teddy during a childhood hospitalization, now dedicates weekly volunteer hours at the Trauma Teddy Knitting Finishing School in Sydney's CBD, where she helps sew and stuff the teddies.
These teddies have been widely distributed, reaching children affected by events such as the 2019-2020 Summer Bushfires and the aftermath of the 2024 Westfield Bondi Junction attack. Australian Red Cross Deputy CEO Penny Harrison noted that approximately 385,000 volunteer knitting hours are contributed annually to produce these teddies.
Ms. Nube described the process as "deeply rewarding" and highlighted its "ripple effect of compassion."