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Help with hugs

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Hugs in rugs
‘Hugs in a Rug’ ready to be delivered to flood-affected children in Lismore. Photo: Kirstin Nicholson.

Kirstin Nicholson, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

There has been a buzz of activity amongst the Cohuna Lions Club’s Leos and Cubs. The Leos and Cubs, which comprise children aged 9 to 18, have been busy sewing items for children in flood-affected Lismore, New South Wales.

“Lismore has been hit extremely hard. Many of the schools were damaged extensively,” said Lion Lee Walkington who saw the devastation that occurred in Lismore and realised that the children of Lismore were left with minimal possessions.

“The kids thought what can we do, how do we help from here? We can’t go up and help them rebuild, but we can send up a hug from the kids here.

“That was the idea – to send a hug from the kids down here.”

The group decided to make ‘Hug in a Rug’ bags – teddy bears in sleeping bags – and by make, they had to sew the sleeping bags themselves. Teddy bears were purchased locally using cash donations, and the bags are made from donated fabric. Two sewing machines were also generously donated.

Chenoa sewing hugs in a rug
Chenoa Cutter sewing ‘Hug in a Rug’ sleeping bags.
Photo: Kirstin Nicholson.
Library bags
Library bags sewn by Cohuna Leos and Cubs.
Photo: Kirstin Nicholson.

When the group also received a donation of three boxes of books from Gunbower Primary School, library bags were added to the project to include a book, colouring pencils and colouring book.

The ‘Hug in a Rug’ and library bags will be delivered to the children of Lismore by Cohuna Lions Club representatives at the end of May.

With a target of 100 ‘Hug in a Rug’ bags and 100 library bags, the Leos and Cubs have spent meeting nights and their spare time sewing for the project, and some generous community members have also been busy sewing, but their deadline is looming.

They will have working bees after school in the next couple of weeks in a bid to complete the project in time for delivery, but with 50 sleeping bags and 80 library bags still to be sewn up, they need your help.

Can you sew? Do you have some spare time? Can you share the love? Fabric is cut and ready to go – all you need to do is sew it together and help them reach their target by May 25. If you can help, call Lee on 0400 576 383.

The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper 5 May 2022

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 5 May 2022.

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